ELAINE'S CHOP SUEY 1.
4512 S DAMEN AVE · BACK OF THE YARDS, CHICAGO
Failed 4 of 6 inspections. 11 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
MAR 272025FAILED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40-50 ADULT COCKROACHES ON GLUE BOARDS, BOTH DEAD AND ALIVE, BENEATH THE 2-DOOR SLIDING-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN COOK LINE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD AND TRAPPED COCKROACHES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREA(S), AND CONTACT LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO ELIMINATE COCKROACH ACTIVITY ON-SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AND MOP HEADS IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING STORED IN THE WASHROOM AREA SHELF. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PAPER TOWELS AND MOP HEADS FROM PROHIBITED AREAS SUCH AS TOILET ROOMS AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO LINE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL AND MAINTAIN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD-UP OF GREASE ALONG NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (DEEP FRYER, WOK LINE). INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK COLD WATER SUPPLY TO BE LEAKING, BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE COLD WATER SUPPLY AT FRONT PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK TO ELIMINATE LEAK AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.
APR 232024FAILED6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
2-102.14(O) THE MANAGER PROVIDED NO PROOF OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. CITATION ISSUED.
3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER(CHICKEN) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISCARD DATE FOR REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24HRS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
6-501.111 OBSERVED PEST INFESTATION. NOTED OVER 1000 MICE DROPPING ON SHELVES AND FLOORS IN DRY STORAGE AREA, KITCHEN ARE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENTS SINK AND BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT, IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND BEHIND A DRINK COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA, DINING AREA AND ON THE FLOORS, ON THE SHELVING AND THE FLOOR BEHIND THE SHELVING IN THE BACK HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED
4-101.19 CARBOARD OBSERVED ON THE FLOOR OF FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
4-204.18 NOTED ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER ON THE FLOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.
8-404.13(B:4)PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS FROM 03/15/2023, REPORT #2572621, OBSERVED NOT TO BE CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #41 WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. #58 MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION. #57 EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON-SITE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
APR 162024FAILED10 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
THE MANAGER PROVIDED NO PROOF OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. CITATION ISSUED.
NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT EMPLOYEE BATHROOMS HANDWASHING SINKS: THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER WAS 80.0 F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE FOOD DISPLAY COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: EGGS AT 53.0 F, CHICKEN AT 49. F, OIL GARLIC AT 61.3 F, SMALL SHRIMPS AT 47.0 F, AND EGG WASH AT 55.4 F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 25 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $250.0 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER(CHICKEN) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISCARD DATE FOR REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24HRS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
4-301.11 OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 69.9F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD-FOR-INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE UNIT. ONCE REPAIRED, FAX OR EMAIL TO CDPH.MUST HAVE COLD-HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED PEST INFESTATION. NOTED OVER 1000 MICE DROPPING ON SHELVES AND FLOORS IN DRY STORAGE AREA, KITCHEN ARE UNDER 3 COMPARTMENTS SINK AND BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT, IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND BEHIND A DRINK COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA, DINING AREA AND ON THE FLOORS, ON THE SHELVING AND THE FLOOR BEHIND THE SHELVING IN THE BACK HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED A 1/2" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS AND CLOSE THE HOLE TO PREVENT PESTS ' ENTRY.
CARBOARD OBSERVED ON THE FLOOR OF FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
NOTED ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER ON THE FLOOR AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.
PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS FROM 03/15/2023, REPORT #2572621, OBSERVED NOT TO BE CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #41 WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. #55 FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND WOK STATION LINE NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE ACCUMULATION, ETC. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES ARE NOT CLEAN, AND THERE IS EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME #58 MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION. #57 EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON-SITE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
MAR 152023PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
4-602.11(B-E) INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE, AND ALL MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
3-304.14 WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
4-601.11(C) ENTIRE WOK STATION, INTERI0R/EXTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
5-205.15: WOK STATION WATER LINE LEAKING, USING BUCKET TO COLLECT WATER LEAKING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME
6-501.12: FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND WOK STATION LINE NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE ACCUMULATION, ETC. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. FLOOR DRAINS THROUGH OUT PREMISES NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
2-102.13: EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
2-102.13: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION
show all 6 inspections →
FEB 82023FAILED13 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
OBSERVED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA AND EMPLOYEE RESTROOM NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
"OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE WASHROOM AT THE WASHBOWL SINK NOR AT THE HAND-SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWEL FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). SEE ABOVE VIOLATION."
INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE, AND ALL MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
OBSERVED TCS FOODS (GARLIC AND OIL MIXTURE) HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF 70.1F IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MANAGER DISCARDED 1LBS AT $10. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
"OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED."
WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
ENTIRE WOK STATION, INTERIRO/EXTERIOR OF FRYERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
WOK STATION WATER LINE LEAKING, USING BUCKET TO COLLECT WATER LEAKING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME
MOPS IMPROPERLY STORED IN BUCKET. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY IN A POSITION THAT ALLOWS THEM TO AIR DRY WITHOUT SOILING WALLS, EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES.
FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND WOK STATION LINE NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE ACCUMULATION, ETC. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. FLOOR DRAINS THROUGH OUT PREMISES NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
EMPLOYEES MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →