HO CHOY.
548 N WELLS ST · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO
Failed 4 of 12 inspections. 6 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
JAN 232018PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED PRODUCE STORED IN THE COOK LINE COOLER WITHOUT PROPER CONTAINER STORED DIRECTLY ON COOLER SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER CONTAINER OR WRAP TO STORED FOOD IN COOLERS.
OBSERVED BOWLS BEING USED TO DISPENSE BULK GOODS IN BASEMENT DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SCOOPS WITH HANDLES.
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE OIL ACCUMULATING INSIDE THE FRYER LOWER CABINET. OBSERVED FOOD RESIDUE ON COOK LINE SHELF OPPOSITE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLER HANDLES. OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DUST AND OIL FORMING ON COOK LINE HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN BASEMENT PREP AREA NEAR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS.
FEB 242017PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED COOLER CONTAINING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD INCLUDING CHICKEN PORK AND SHRIMP AT AN IMPROPER AMBIENT AIR TEMTPERATURE OF 53.4F. COOLER WAS TAGGED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (A)
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD WITIN 53.4F COOLER INCLUDING 20 LBS OF CHICKEN VALUED AT $50, 5 LBS OF PORK VALUED T $15 AT 63.0F, 2 LBS OF EGGROLLS CONTAINING PORK VALUED AT $5 AT 53.2F, 1 LB OF SHRIMP VALUED AT $5 AT 51.3F, 10 LBS OF SPARE RIBS VALUED AT $25 AT 52.0F. ALL FOOD WAS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (A)
OBSERVED GASKEST ON REACH IN COOLER ON COOKING LINE LOCATED CLOSEST TO FRONT OF RESTAURNAT TORN. MUST RELACE ALL TORN GASKETS.
OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE UNCLEAN WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT ON INTERIOR WHERE ICE IS MADE. CLEAN IN DETAIL INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED INTERIOR OF REACH IN CHEST FREEZER AT BOTTOM OF BASEMENT STAIRS UNCLEAN NEEDS TO BE DEFROSTED AND CLEANED IN DETAIL.
OBSERVED WLAL BEHIND 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISREPAIR WITH BLCAK MILDEW. CAULK WALL BEHIND 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON COUNTERS AND COOKING LINE. ALL WIPING LCOTHS MUST BE STORED IN SNAITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
MAR 302016PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violationsDETAILS
NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (RICE,CHICKEN,BEEF ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES IN BASEMENT STORAGE SHELVINGS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED AND INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND MAINTAIN(HANDLES-UP).
FOOD STORAGE SHELVES NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD-UP ON KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENTS,INTERIORS/EXTERIORS OF COOLERS,FAN COVERS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES INCLUDING BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIORS OF LIGHT SHIELDS IN KITCHEN AREAS AND REMOVE GREASE BUILD-UP ON KITCHEN HOODS AND MAINTAIN. DETAIL CLEAN WALLS/CEILING INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
ELEVATE ALL STORED ARTICLES AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN. REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS DUE TO POTNTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
FEB 112015PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
RUSTED BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE PREP CART IN THE COOK LINE. MUST REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN.
MUST ENROLL ONLINE TO GET A FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
FEB 42015FAILED8 violationsDETAILS
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1199524 DATED 9/24/14. MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS. INTERIOR LID OF 1ST FLOOR BOX FREEZER CRACKED, IN POOR REPAIR WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR TO MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-42-090
MUST PROVIDE LABEL AND DATE ON ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH READY TO EAT FOODS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND REACH IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN. ALSO LABEL (NAME OF THE PRODUCT) ON ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.
RUSTED WIRE RACK SHELVINGS INSIDE THE PREP COOLER IN THE COOK LINE AND ONE DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT . MUST REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE WIRE RACK SHELVINGS. ALSO RUSTED BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE PREP CART IN THE COOK LINE. MUST REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN. WORN OUT CAULK AROUND THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BASEMENT. MUST RE CAULK AND MAINTAIN.
MUST CLEAN ALL THE LIDS OF ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
FAN GUARD OF THE 2 DOOR REACH COOLER IN THE COOK LINE, WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
HEAVY LEAK ON THE TWO FAUCET CONNECTOR ARM OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, MUST REPAIR TO STOP THE LEAK. SLOW DRAINING OF THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR TO HAVE A WELL DRAINING SINK.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT TO CONFINE THE HAIR WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
MUST ENROLL ONLINE TO GET A FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
show all 12 inspections →
SEP 242014PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS. INTERIOR LID OF 1ST FLOOR BOX FREEZER CRACKED, IN POOR REPAIR WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR TO MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF COOKS LINE COOLER WITH DIRT AND ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
SEP 162014FAILED12 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
FACILITIES UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURES. COOKS LINE COOLER FOUND AT 53.4F WITH FOODS SUCH AS COOKED CHICKEN AT 54.3F. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 40 F. OR BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A).
THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS FOUND HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED COOLER. COOKED CHICKEN RANGING IN TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 49.4F TO 54.3F, PRE-COOKED EGG ROLLS AT 48.1F, COOKED BEEF AT 58.8F, CREAM CHEESE STUFFED WON TONS AT 52.8F, COOKED BBQ PORK AT 44.6F. ALSO NOTED IN COVERED METAL CONTAINERS ON PREP TABLE ON COOKS LINE COOKED CHICKEN AT 98.1F, AND COOKED BEEF AT 115.9F. INSTRUCTED ALL HOT FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 140F OR ABOVE AND COLD FOODS HELD AT 40F OR BELOW. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT STATES ESTIMATED POUNDS OF FOOD TO BE 20lbs AND ESTIMATED VALUE TO BE $250.00. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A).
OVER 50 SMALL FLIES IN BASEMENT AT BOTTOM OF STAIRS STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT ADJACENT STORAGE ROOM. LAST PEST SERVICE DATED 9-11-14 NOTED NO ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL MOIST ORGANIC MATERIAL FROM FLOORS, SANITIZE ALL AREAS TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE FLY ACTIVITY AND RECOMMEND HAVING PEST CO. SERVICE FOR FLIES. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020.
ALL PREPARED FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE LABELED AND DATED.
MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS. MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL OR CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING OR EQUIPMENT. INTERIOR LIDS OF 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT BOX FREEZER CRACKED, IN POOR REPAIR WITH EXPOSED INSULATION. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR TO MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOLER WITH DIRT AND ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. FOOD PROCESSOR FOUND STORED ON SHELVING WITH CLEAN PANS WITH BLACKENED, ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN OR REPLACE AND STORE ALL UTENSILS, POTS, PANS CLEAN. DIRTY BULK FOOD CONTAINERS. INTERIOR ICE MACHINE DIRTY.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
POOLING WATER ON BASEMENT FLOOR IN VARIOUS AREAS. MUST MAINTAIN DRY FLOORS.
MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT 1ST FLOOR EXPOSED HAND SINK AND TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE. WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE. HOLES IN WALL BASEBOARDS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST SEAL.
CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPLACE.
LEAK AT ALL NOZZLES OF TWO AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. MUST REPAIR.
MUST PROVIDE INTERNAL THERMOMETERS FOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER AND COOKS LINE RIGHT SIDE TWO DOOR COOLER.
ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
DEC 52013FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INADEQUATE PEST CONTROL, FOUND ABOUT 30 RAT DROPPINGS ALONG WALLBASE IN BASEMENT STORAGE/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED MGR TO ELEMINATE PEST ACTIVITY IN ALL AFFECTED AREAS, PEST CONTROL SERVICE RECOMMENDED
BULK FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD STORAGE SHELVES NOT CLEAN, FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
FLOOR DAMAGED IN BASEMENT PREP AREA THATS POOLING WASTE WATER, INSTRUCTED TO PATCH.
DAMAGED SECTIONS OF WALLS IN FIRST AND BASEMENT AREAS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF DUST/ GREASY ICE MAKER, INSTRUCTEDS TO STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
JAN 312013PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
DAMAGED RUBBER GASKETS AT PREP COOLER DOORS, RAW WOOD SHELF, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
SHELVES AND COUNTER TOPS NOT CLEAN, GREASY SURFACES NOTED, STACKES OF OFFICE PAPER ON TOP OF COOLER, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
FLOOR NOT CLEAN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, FOOD DEBRIS AND TRASH NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO CELAN AND MAINTAIN.
WALLS AND CEILING IN BASEMENT AREA IN POOR REPAIR, HOLES, CRACKED WALLS AND MISSING DROP CEILING PANELS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
JAN 242013FAILED5 violationsDETAILS
INADEQUATE DISH WASHING FACILITY. FOUND 3-COMP SINK WITH CRACKED DIVIDERS, UNABLE TO HOLD WATER IN COMPARTMENTS, WATER SEEPS BETWEEN ALL COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MGR TO REPAIR SINK TO BE ABLE TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS PROPERLY.
DAMAGED RUBBER GASKETS AT PREP COOLER DOORS, RAW WOOD SHELF, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
SHELVES AND COUNTER TOPS NOT CLEAN, GREASY SURFACES NOTED, STACKES OF OFFICE PAPER ON TOP OF COOLER, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
FLOOR NOT CLEAN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, FOOD DEBRIS AND TRASH NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO CELAN AND MAINTAIN.
WALLS AND CEILING IN BASEMENT AREA IN POOR REPAIR, HOLES, CRACKED WALLS AND MISSING DROP CEILING PANELS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
FEB 142012PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
ALL CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP/DARK GROOVES MUST BE REPLACED. COOLER DOOR GASKETS AT FRONT PREP AREA ARE RIPPED (CLOSEST TO THE REGISTER)-MUST REPLACE. SPLASHGUARD AT BASEMENT HANDSINK IS MIS-ALLIGNED, MUST FIX. All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.
FOLLOWING NEED DETAILED CLEANING: INTERIOR LEDGES OF PREP COOLERS AT COOK'S LINE & COOLERS DOOR GASKETS; ALL SINK DRAINS IN BASEMENT; FAN GUARD OF WALK-IN COOLER; EXTERIOR TOP OF GREASE TRAP-DUE FOR DIRT/DEBRIS/DUST. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.
FLOORS UNDER THE STAIRS, 3-COMPARTMENT SINK & INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE FREE OF DEBRIS/DIRT. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.
LEAK AT WATER SUPPLY LINE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK & AT BASES OF FAUCETS OF THE 2 & 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS MUST BE FIXED. THE WASTE LINE PIPE OF THE SODA MACHINE MUST EXTEND TO THE FLOOR DRAIN. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.
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 →