KENKEE RESTAURANT.
2129 S CHINA PL · CHINATOWN, CHICAGO
Failed 3 of 11 inspections. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
APR 22026PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
ADDITIONAL CLEANING NEEDED TO THE FRYER IN THE KITCHEN ON THE FIRST FLOOR; CLEAN FRYER AT BOTTOM.
CLEAN FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND OTHER MATTER.
MAR 262026FAILED7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND NO HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE SECOND FLOOR KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) ISSUED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH CITY RULES. CORRECTED ON SITE.
OBSERVED RODENT ACTIVITY ON PREMISES. FOUND 60 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON PREMISES IN BOTH KITCHEN AREAS AROUND THE HOT WATER TANK AND INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE PRIOR TO REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED FOR CONTROL OF VERMIN AND INSECTS.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF THE FRYER, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS AND OTHER COOKING EQUIPMENT, INSTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS, SHELVES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS AND PREP TABLES.
FOUND ITEMS STORED INSIDE OF UTILITY SINKS; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND KEEP SINKS FREE AND CLEAR OF ITEMS FOR PROPER USEAGE.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, CLEAN WALLS AND CEILINGS TO REMOVE SPLATTER DUST AND DIRT. CLEAN FLOOR INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLAGE AND OTHER MATTER.
OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT ON THE SECOND FLOOR; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SYSTEM SERVICED AND CLEANED.
OBSERVED SEVERAL EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.
JUN 242025PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
OBSERVED RAW FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE UPSTAIRS PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 10LBS OF CHICKEN AT 50.2F, 5LBS OF BEEF AT 49.8F, AND 5LBS OF SHRIMP AT 47.4F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 20LBS AT $200. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
NOTED TEMPERATURE OF 2-DOOR REACH IN PREP COOLER TO BE IMPROPER AT 55F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PERSON IN CHARGE SERVICED COOLER UNIT DURING INSPECTION. COOLER UNIT WAS OBSERVED AT 41F AT THE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
JUN 72024FAILED10 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND 60 SMALL LIVE FLIES ON THE WALLS, CEILING AND STORAGE RACKS ON THE FIRST FLOOR PREP/DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED PIC TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLIES, CLEAN/SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL SERVICE THE PREMISES BEFORE REINSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED
FOOD HANDLERS AND EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE PREPARING/SERVING FOOD AND WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PIC TO HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WHERE A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
GROCERY BAGS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS IN THE 2ND FL WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED PIC TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS AND MAINTAIN.
CUTTING BOARDS IN 1ST FL PREP AREA WITH DEEP GROOVES AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED PIC TO SAND OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS TO MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
CAN OPENER IN THE 2ND FL PREP AREA WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE FRYERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT ON THE 2ND FL WITH CHARRED DEBRIS AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS/COOKING EQUIPMENT.
THE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE 1ST FL HAND WASHING SINK IS LOOSE AND LEAKS WATER FROM THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX. MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS. -WALLS AND CEILING IN BOTH PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS AND CEILING.
VENTILATION PANELS IN THE 2ND FL PREP AREA WITH THICK GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 182023PASSED4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT THE 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA HANDSINK TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF SOAP AND WATER CONTAMINATION TO THE PREP TABLE NEAR THE SINK OR CONTAMINATION TO THE HAND SINK FROM THE TWO COMP PREP SINK; MUST INSTALL .
OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER BLADE AT THE PREP TABLE NOT CLEAN; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED GREASE ON THE EXTERIOR TOP SURFACE OF THE GREASE RECEPTOR OUTSIDE IN THE ENCLOSED DISPOSAL AREA; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
show all 11 inspections →
AUG 232023PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT THE 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA HANDSINK TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF SOAP AND WATER CONTAMINATION TO THE PREP TABLE NEAR THE SINK OR CONTAMINATION TO THE HAND SINK FROM THE TWO COMP PREP SINK; MUST INSTALL .
OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER BLADE AT THE PREP TABLE NOT CLEAN; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED GREASE ON THE EXTERIOR TOP SURFACE OF THE GREASE RECEPTOR OUTSIDE IN THE ENCLOSED DISPOSAL AREA; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED ONE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE EXPIRED; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE.
AUG 12023FAILED8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT THE 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA HANDSINK TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF SOAP AND WATER CONTAMINATION TO THE PREP TABLE NEAR THE SINK OR CONTAMINATION TO THE HAND SINK FROM THE TWO COMP PREP SINK; MUST INSTALL .
FOUND NO PROTECTIVE BARRIER FROM WASHROOM AREA TO KITCHEN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION TO FOOD BY CUSTOMERS USING WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BARRIER IN AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 ISSUED.
OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER BLADE AT THE PREP TABLE NOT CLEAN; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED GREASE ON THE EXTERIOR TOP SURFACE OF THE GREASE RECEPTOR OUTSIDE IN THE ENCLOSED DISPOSAL AREA; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
THE VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEMS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS NEED CLEANING; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENTS IN HOOD.
OBSERVED ONE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE EXPIRED; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE.
JUN 122023PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT THE 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA HANDSINK TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF SOAP AND WATER CONTAMINATION TO THE NOODLE STATION; MUST INSTALL.
OBSERVED THE EXTERIOR SURFACES AND INTERIOR BOTTOM OF SOME COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING AS WELL AS REFRIGERATION AND FREEZER UNITS; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. CLEAN INSIDE OF DISHMACHINE TO REMOVE LIME. CLEAN CAN OPENER BLADE AT PREP TABLE ON SECOND FLOOR.
OBSERVED THE FAUCET NECK OF THE TWO COMP SINK IN THE SECOND FLOOR PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR; MUST REPLACE. OBSERVED THE FAUCET NECK OF THE THREE COMP SINK IN THE BEVERAGE AREA DOES NOT EXTEND TO ALL COMPARTMENTS AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A LONGER FAUCET NECK AT THIS SINK.
OBSERVED DUST ON THE CEILING, LIGHT SHIELD AND VENT OF THE SECOND FLOOR PREP AREA ABOVE THE PREP COOLER; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED IN BOTH PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED ONE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE EXPIRED; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE.
FEB 162022PASSED9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SPLASH GUARD NEEDED AT 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOAP AND WATER CONTAMINATION TO NOODLE STATION. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED KNIVES BEING STORED IN BETWEEN THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALL IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL UTENSILS AT ALL TIMES PROPERLY.
OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING REUSED AS A FLOOR LINER BY THE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO REUSE CARDBOARD. ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED A WOODEN CHOPPING BLOCK IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ONLY USE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES FOR ALL FOOD CUTTING
OBSERVED THE EXTERIOR OF REFRIGERATION UNITS (DOOR HANDLES) WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS AND ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS IN BETWEEN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT LOCATED ON THE 1ST AND 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED A BROWNISH SUBSTANCE ON THE WALL AND ON THE FLOOR BY THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
DEC 72021PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
3-304.12 OBSERVED KNIVES BEING STORED IN BETWEEN THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALL IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL UTENSILS AT ALL TIMES PROPERLY.
4-502.13 OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING REUSED AS A FLOOR LINER BY THE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO REUSE CARDBOARD. ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
4-101.17 OBSERVED A WOODEN CHOPPING BLOCK IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ONLY USE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES FOR ALL FOOD CUTTING.
4-601.11(C) OBSERVED THE EXTERIOR OF REFRIGERATION UNITS (DOOR HANDLES) WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS AND ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS IN BETWEEN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT LOCATED ON THE 1ST AND 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
6-501.12 OBSERVED A BROWNISH SUBSTANCE ON THE WALL AND ON THE FLOOR BY THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
APR 182019PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED THE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER AND EXTERIOR SURFACE OF FRYER AND STOVE IN NEED OF CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AROUND AND UNDER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED AND CLEAN WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
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 →