SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

GAYLE'S BEST EVER GRILLED CHEEESE.

BEAT. 47/100

108 N STATE ST · LOOP, CHICAGO

Last inspected January 21, 2026 · passed

Failed 3 of 11 inspections. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
11
7 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
35
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Jan 2022

INSPECTION HISTORY

JAN 21
2026
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

4-101.19 : OBSERVED CRATES BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN PREP/DISH WASHING AREA MUST ELIMINATE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS FOR FOOD STORAGE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS,DUST BUILD UP ON FRONT PREP AREA SHELVING UNITS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING AREA.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

4-301.14 : OBSERVED TABLE TOP DEEP FRYERS ON REAR PREP TABLE AND NO VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE MUST PROVIDE UNDERNEATH VENTILATION AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 14
2026
FAILED
15 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PIC DOSEN'T HAVE A FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (TURKEY,SAUSAGE,HAM SANDWICHES) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLER OBSERVED HER TOUCH SCREEN ORDER AT REGISTER PUT ON PLASTIC GLOVES RETRIEVED WRAPPED SANDWICH FROM REACH IN COOLER AND PLACED ON GRILL WITHOUT WASHING HANDS,AS WELL ANOTHER EMPLOYEE DID THE SAME.INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

SERIOUSOther
COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP

OBSERVED VACUUM PACKAGED FOODS ON SITE WITHOUT AN CDPH-APPROVED HACCP PLAN.MUST BE APPROVED BEFORE FOOD CAN BE VACUUM PACKAGED ON PREMISES.APPX.56LBS. MACARONI & CHEESE $324. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY PIC.A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON VACUUM PACKAGE SEALER. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

MINOROther
VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS

SEE VIOLATION #29.

MINORSanitation
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
GLOVES USED PROPERLY

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER MIUSAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED CRATES BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN FRONT PREP AREA MUST ELIMINATE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS FOR FOOD STORAGE.MUST ELIMINATE CARDBOARD LINED ON LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS & SHELVING UNITS,DUST BUILD UP ON FRONT PREP AREA SHELVING UNITS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES & MISSING WALL BASE IN DINING AREA,MISSING CEILING TILE IN REAR PREP AREA,HOLE IN WALL IN FRONT PREP AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM WALK IN COOLER FLOOR TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS AND DUST BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED TABLE TOP DEEP FRYERS ON REAR PREP TABLE AND NO VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE MUST PROVIDE UNDERNEATH VENTILATION AND MAINTAIN.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED EXPIRED AND MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2616737 5/1/25 NOT CORRECTED-#47-4-101.19 : OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON MILK CRATES IN FREEZER. OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE(WHERE UTILITY SINK IS LOCATED). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.#55- 6-501.12 : OBSERVED ICE BUILDUP ON RIGHT CONDENSOR LINE IN WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE BUILDUP FROM CONDENSOR LINE IN WALK IN FREEZER AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST ON WALLS ABOVE CLEAN EQUIPMENT ON SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVER ABOVE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP(ACROSS FROM WALK IN COOLER). OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING AROUND CEILING VENT COVER IN MIDDLE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS, CEILING VENT COVER AND CEILING IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILDUP ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND GREASE TRAP.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)

MAY 1
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALOther
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO DISINFECTANT EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS FOR COMPLYING WITH PROCEDURE AVAILABLE ON SITE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITTING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SOAP AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SOAP AT HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE HANDWASHING SOAP PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLERS SHALL WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS HATS, HAIR COVERINGS , BEARD RESTRAINTS AND CLOTHING THAT COVERS BODY HAIR THAT ARE DESIGNED AND WORN TO EFFECTIVELY KEEP THEIR HAIR FROM CONTACTING EXPOSED FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT,UTENSILS AND LINENS AND UNWRAPPED SINGLE SERVICE AND SINGLE USE ARTICLES.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON MILK CRATES IN FREEZER. OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE(WHERE UTILITY SINK IS LOCATED). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED ICE BUILDUP ON RIGHT CONDENSOR LINE IN WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE BUILDUP FROM CONDENSOR LINE IN WALK IN FREEZER AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST ON WALLS ABOVE CLEAN EQUIPMENT ON SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVER ABOVE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP(ACROSS FROM WALK IN COOLER). OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING AROUND CEILING VENT COVER IN MIDDLE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS, CEILING VENT COVER AND CEILING IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BUILDUP ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND GREASE TRAP.

AUG 13
2024
PASSED
0 violations
JUL 12
2024
PASSED
0 violations
show all 11 inspections →
JAN 10
2024
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED FACILITY USING CARDBOARD AS A LINER UNDER WALK-IN COOLER SHELVING AND ON THE SHELVING BELOW GREASE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD OR REPLACE WITH A MATERIAL THAT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER ENTRANCE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR PROVIDE MISSING CEILING TILES.

JUL 5
2023
PASSED
0 violations
JUN 22
2023
FAILED
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORFood Temperature
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

3-501.13 OBSERVED FACILITY INADEQUATELY THAWING TCS FOOD (SOUP) IN THE ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN STAGNET WATER. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROPERLY THAW ALL TCS FOODS IN COLD RUNNING WATER (NOT EXCEEDING 70F) AT ALL TIMES.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY ON SITE, OBSERVED ABOUT 5 LARGE FLIES FLYING AROUND THE REAR FOOD PREP AREAS, OBSERVED A FLY LAND ON A PIECE OF BREAD AT A PREP TABLE IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD THE PIECE OF BREAD, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, ELIMINATE LARGE FLIES ACTIVITY AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(C).

MINOREmployee Hygiene
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11 OBSERVED AN INADEQUATE SPLASH GUARD ON THE HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE PANINI GRILL AND INADEQUATE IN HEIGHT AND NOT PROPERLY PROTECTING THE PANINI GRILL FROM POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND WASHING SINK DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE PANINI GRILL OR MOVE THE PANINI GRILL THAT IS DIRECTLY NEXT TO SAID HAND WASHING SINK.

AUG 30
2022
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

4-201.11 FOUND HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP ACROSS FROM WALK IN COOLER DETACHED (HANGING) FROM WALL INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 17
2022
FAILED
4 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO 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.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

FOUND APPROX. 7 LARGE FLIES IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA. ALSO NOTED APPROX 6 SMALL FLIES LOCATED IN DRY STORAGE AREA. AND 4 SMALL FLIES LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA/ DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MINIMIZE ALL FLY ACTIVITY. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

FOUND HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP ACROSS FROM WALK IN COOLER DETACHED (HANGING) FROM WALL INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

MINOROther
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER (PIC) WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

JAN 24
2022
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINOROther
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER NEEDED IN FRONT REACH-IN CHEESE REFRIGERATOR. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 →

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