SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

IKIGAI SUSHI & IZAKAYA.

YOUR CALL. 67/100

372 W CHICAGO AVE · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected June 13, 2025 · passed

4 of 6 inspections passed, 1 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 6 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
4 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
30
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Mar 2022

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 13
2025
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK LOCATED AT FRONT SUSHI PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED SOME COLOR CODED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FIRST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN .

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED CHEST FREEZER AT FRONT SUSHI PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 6
2025
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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

4-501.11: OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON WALKIN FREEZER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED AREAS OF DOOR GASKET ON WALK IN FREEZER DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-303.11: OBSERVED NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS OF HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

FEB 26
2025
FAILED
9 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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

OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON WALKIN FREEZER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED AREAS OF DOOR GASKET ON WALK IN FREEZER DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAKING FROM REAR OF MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON GROUND IN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MULTIPLE NON SMOOTH AREAS OF FLOOR IN PREP AREA OF BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR NON SMOOTH AREAS OF FLOOR IN PREP AREA OF BASEMENT FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN AND FLOOR DRAIN COVERS NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND WOK BURNERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR AND COVERS OF FLOOR DRAINS IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS OF HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

APR 10
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
9 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood Temperature
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE SANITIZING IMPROPERLY AT 0PPM CHLORINE IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN, SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT AND DISHES IN LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINES WITH 50-100PPM CHLORINE SANITIZER. CORRECTED ON SITE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN REAR REPAIRED AND SANITIZING AT 50PPM CHLORINE BEFORE COMPLETION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON PREMISES. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH MONTHLY INSPECTION REPORTS DATED 6/30/2022-3/29/2024 DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OPENINGS IN FRONT ENTRANCE DOUBLE DOOR IN MIDDLE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND REAR EXIT DOOR RIGHT AND BOTTOM BASE. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED ICE MACHINE IN REAR PREP AREA WITH A BUILDUP OF A GRAY SUBSTANCE ON BOTTOM BASE OF SHIELD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SHIELD AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE FROM MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK FROM DRAINPIPE.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DOORS OF MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM NOT TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR BOTH SELF CLOSING DOORS OF MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOMS SO THAT THEY SHALL BE TIGHT FITTING.

MINORSanitation
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON GROUND NEAR DUMPSTER IN ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BROWN BUILDUP IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING FLOOR DRAINS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING AREAS. OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH COLD AND HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP, FRONT AND REAR PREP HANDWASHING SINKS AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON LIGHTS AND INTERIOR OF HOOD IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

MAR 30
2023
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORFood Temperature
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

FROZEN RAW FISH HAS BEEN THAWED WHILE STILL COMMERICIALLY WRAPPED IN REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING (ROP). PACKAGING MUST BE REMOVED FROM FISH IN ROP PRIOR TO THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION OR RUNNING WATER.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OPEN HOLES ON BOTTOM OF SIDEDOOR WHICH ALLOWS FOR PESTS. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE: SELF-CLOSING, SOLID AND TIGHT FITTING, AND LIMITED TO DESIGNATED USE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT FOUND ON ICE MACHINE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE A CITY MANAGER CERTFICATION, MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION.

show all 6 inspections →
MAR 25
2022
PASSED
0 violations

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 →

NEARBY IN RIVER NORTH