MAY 27
2025
PASSED
0 violationsSANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
PHO CAFE.
BEAT. 46/100
232 W CERMAK RD · CHINATOWN, CHICAGO
Last inspected May 27, 2025 · passed
Failed 3 of 10 inspections. 13 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
10
4 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
48
includes 13 critical
RECORDS COVER
7 YEARS
since Mar 2018
INSPECTION HISTORY
MAY 202025FAILED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 20
2025
FAILED
5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER SUCH AS 10LBS OF EGG ROLL FILLING (PORK, CARROTS, NOODLES, BLACK FUNGUS) AT 50.0F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 10LBS AT $100. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN THE WALL CORNERS BEHIND AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
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.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
APR 32024PASSED8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 3
2024
PASSED
8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
6-301.14: OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINKS ON SITE MISSING HANDWASHING SIGNAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
6-501.112: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOORS UNDER ALL COOKING, WASHING, AND SHELVING UNITS EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE FRONT SERVER STATION. OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES INSIDE OF THE SINGLE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND INSIDE A CABINET WITH A PLASTIC DOOR IN THE BEVERAGE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD ROACHES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
6-202.15: OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR LEADING TO THE OUTDOOR DUMPSTER NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
3-305.11: OBSERVED TWO BIG BOWLS OF COOKED NOODLES STORED ON THE DRAINBOARD RIGHT NEXT THE TO LOW TEMEPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATING FOOD AND MAINTAIN.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
3-305.12: OBSERVED A TRAY WITH 4-5 WHOLE PINEAPPLES STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER A SHELVING UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ON THE FLOOR AND ATLEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED A WHITE/YELLOWISH COLOR MATERIAL THAT LOOKS SEEMS TO BE CAULK INSIDE WHAT LOOKS LIKE IT USED TO BE A TWO COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED NEXT TO THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE MATERIALS IN MENTIONED SINK AND MAINTAIN.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
4-301.12: OBSERVED ONE OF THE WALLS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING, MAKING THE SINK LOOK LIKE A TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE MISSING WALL AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CLUTTER AND FOOD ITEMS BEING ELEVATED WITH BUCKETS IN THE CORNER NEAR THE FREEZER UNITS ACROSS FROM THE REAR EXIT DOOR, IN THE REAR PREP/DISWHASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLUTTER, REMOVE BUCKETS AND PROVIDE PROPER ELEVATING UNITS IN MENTIONED AREA.
DEC 142020PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
DEC 14
2020
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHEN IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
FOUND THE WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM)WHEN NOT IN USE.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES AND SURFACE AREA UNDER GRILL TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
FOUND THE TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM WITH NO LID. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND COOKING AND OTHER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. ALSO THE WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND VARIOUS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND WALLS. ALSO OBSERVED DUST ON THE WALL VENT OUTSIDE OF BOTH WASHROOMS; CLEAN VENT TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
OCT 292019PASS W/ CONDITIONS1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 29
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AND SOME SUPPLIES (PAPER TOWELS, CLEANING AGENT, GLOVES). MUST OBTAIN THE PROPER SANITIZER TO KILL NOROVIRUS AND FACE MASKS. ADDITIONAL TIME GRANTED TO OBTAIN SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
show all 10 inspections →
OCT 222019FAILED6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 22
2019
FAILED
6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AND SOME SUPPLIES (PAPER TOWELS, CLEANING AGENT, GLOVES). MUST OBTAIN THE PROPER SANITIZER TO KILL NOROVIRUS AND FACE MASKS. ADDITIONAL TIME GRANTED TO OBTAIN SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISES. FOUND 80 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR BY THE DISHMACHINE, BY THE ICE MACHINE AND BY THE TWO DOOR FREEZER IN THE REAR OF THE KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE PRIOR TO REINSPECTION NEXT WEEK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) ISSUED.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
SOME FOOD HANDLERS OBSERVED NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES WHILE HANDLING FOODS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN IN THE KITCHEN AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST SEAL ALL HOLES ALONG THE WALLBASE AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED IN THE KITCHEN AREA.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN THE FLOORS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN THE WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND VARIOUS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. CLEAN THE LIGHT SHIELD IN THE KITCHEN ABOVE THE PREP TABLE TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED ON THE SHIELD.
APR 82019PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 8
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
NO CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES AND SURFACE AREA UNDER GRILL TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND COOKING AND OTHER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. ALSO THE WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND VARIOUS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND WALLS. ALSO OBSERVED DUST ON THE WALL VENT OUTSIDE OF BOTH WASHROOMS; CLEAN VENT TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM OCTOBER 22, 2018. THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER DID NOT HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 ISSUED. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
MAR 292019FAILED10 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 29
2019
FAILED
10 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
NO CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 ISSUED.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED RODENT DROPPINGS ON PREMISES. FOUND 100 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON PREMISES ON THE FLOOR BY THE PREP TABLE, UNDER THE THREE COMP SINK AND DISHMACHINE, ON A REAR PREP TABLE (BOTTOM) UNDER THE UTILITY SINK AND BY THE ICE MACHINE. OBSERVED A DEAD RODENT IN THE FRONT BEVERAGE AREA BETWEEN THE COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE PRIOR TO REINSPECTION NEXT WEEK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) ISSUED.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER READING. FOUND NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER READING AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT THE SANITIZER READING FOR THE LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE WITH A CHLORINE SANITIZER MUST READ AT 100 PPM AND IS CURRENTLY READING AT 0 PPM. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 ISSUED. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME MUST NOT USE UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CDPH. INSTRUCTED TO MANUALLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE AT THREE COMP SINK.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE GREASE, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES AND SURFACE AREA UNDER GRILL TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
FOUND A LEAK AT THE PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMP SINK AND THE ONE COMP SINK; MUST REPAIR BOTH LEAKS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND COOKING AND OTHER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. ALSO THE WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND VARIOUS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AND WALLS. ALSO OBSERVED DUST ON THE WALL VENT OUTSIDE OF BOTH WASHROOMS; CLEAN VENT TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED THE WALL COVING AT THE BASE OF THE WALL UNDERNEATH THE DISHMACHINE IN POOR REPAIR; MUST REATTACH WALL COVING WHERE NEEDED.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
BUMPED UP TO VIOLATION 60.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM OCTOBER 22, 2018. THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER DID NOT HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 ISSUED. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
OCT 222018PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 22
2018
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO 2-201.11 NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED CITATION ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
2-501.11 NO CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING WHERE WORN AND DISCOLORED WITH DEEP CUTS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
4-601.11B ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND GREASE BUILD UP. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
WALLS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPLATTERS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
PA 100-0367 THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER DID NOT HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING
MAR 72018PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
MAR 7
2018
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF REPLACING. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
LIGHT SHIELDS IN NEED OF CLEANING OR REPLACING. CORRECT 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 →