Chicago Health Dept
4649 N DAMEN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Passed most recent inspection (Mar 2026), 1 critical violation noted.
7 inspections on record since 2023 · Last inspected Mar 2026 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.
MUST PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE FOR HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE CUSTOMER/EMPLOYEE RESTROOMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. INTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING FOOD MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
NOTED EMPLOYEE EATING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. REVIEWED PERMITTED AREAS FOR EMPLOYEES TO EAT.
PREP AREA WET WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
NOTED IN USE UTENSIL USED TO SCOOP FALAFEL FOR THE DEEP FRYER BEING IMPROPERLY STORED IN STANDING WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF 56.7F. IF STORED IN WATER, MUST MAINTAIN A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 135F OR STORE ON/IN A CLEAN SURFACE/CONTAINER, OR INSIDE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE INVERTED FROM THE FOOD AND WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AS NEED OR EVERY 4 HOURS.
MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD OR USED CARDBOARD OIL BOXES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR PLUMBING PIPES UNDER THE 1ST FLOOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
MUST NOT USE RAW WOODEN STICKS AS A MEANS OF SEPARATION IN COOLER FOR PREPARED RAW MEAT KABOBS. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, NON-ABSORBENT AND ABLE TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE.
MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE THE BOX FREEZER. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE BAGS.----MUST NOT USE TAPE AS A GRIP HANDLE FOR BLENDER. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND ABLE TO SANITIZE.
UNUSED ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT ANY PEST HARBORING.
NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE DINING ROOM.----MISSING VENT COVER ABOVE THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST REPLACE ALL.----MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE THE BASEMENT ICE MACHINE OR MOVE THE MACHINE TO AN AREA OF THE BASEMENT THAT DOES HAVE SUCH A CEILING.
NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE (DISHWASHER)ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE.
ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL.
OBSERVED A CONSTANT SMALL WATER LEAK AT FAUCET OF NEWLY INSTALLED HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SOME OVER HEAD PIPES OVER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND FOOD PREP AREA WITH NOTICEABLE ROUGH EDGES AND OPEN SEAMS AND CREVICES AND WRINKLES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID AREAS SO THAT THEY ARE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND ARE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
5-204.11--Observed no handwashing station in basement prep area. Observed evidence of food prep and storage in basement. Instructed manager to install a handwashing station or sink in basement by 3/20. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
4-204.112(B)--Observed no thermometer present in clear glass doored cooler at front prep area. Instructed manager to provide an maintain a working thermometer in all coolers.
3-305.14--Observed multiple waste lines above three compartment sink as well as over prep tables in basement prep area of establishment. Waste lines from first floor handwashing sinks and 3 compartment sinks. Instructed to encase all waste water pipes to prevent from potential drips and sources of contamination over 3 compartment sink and any food prep and storage areas. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.
3-305.12--Observed dry storage and spices stored in basement beneath unfinished wood and open ceiling in basement. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas.
2-102.13--Observed no food handler certificates provided on premises. Must show proof of training for all food handler employees.
Observed no Certified Food Manager on site while TCS foods are prepared, handled, and/or served. (Handling beef, chicken, hummus) PIC provided a photo copy of certificate on phone. Physical and original copy must be present and posted as required. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012,citation issued.
Observed no employee health policies on site at time of inspection. Discussed with manager to provide a signed health policy for each employee, and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010, citation issued.
Observed no paper towels present at front prep hand sink. Instructed manager to provide paper towels and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Consolidate with the above citation.
Observed no handwashing station in basement prep area. Observed evidence of food prep and storage in basement. Instructed manager to install a handwashing station or sink in basement by 3/20. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
Observed TCS foods (chicken, hummus, rice, cheese, diced tomatoes) in standing double door cooler in rear to be at improper cold holding temperature with chicken at 46.4 degrees, hummus as 46.3 degrees, tomatoes at 46.5 degrees, rice at 70.3 degrees, cheese at 45 degrees, and shishkabob at 46.4 degrees. Instructed manager to monitor and maintain all cold TCS foods at 41 degrees or colder at all times. Management voluntarily discarded and denatured approximately 50 lbs of food worth $300. Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
Observed double door standing cooler in rear prep area with an ambient air temp of 48.2 degrees. Instructed management to repair and maintain the cooler at 41 degrees or colder at all times. Cooler is tagged "held for inspection" at this time, and manager is instructed not to use until repaired. (See comments below). Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
Observed no thermometer present in clear glass doored cooler at front prep area. Instructed manager to provide an maintain a working thermometer in all coolers.
Observed bulk storage container without a label. Instructed to provide common name of contents to properly identify all items in establishment. (Salt, sugar, sesame, flour, etc.)
Observed dry storage and spices stored in basement beneath unfinished wood and open ceiling in basement. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas.
Observed multiple waste lines above three compartment sink as well as over prep tables in basement prep area of establishment. Waste lines from first floor handwashing sinks and 3 compartment sinks. Instructed to encase all waste water pipes to prevent from potential drips and sources of contamination over 3 compartment sink and any food prep and storage areas. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
Observed spoons, scoops, and utensils stored improperly in rear prep area storage rack. All utensils must be inverted when stored.
Observed single service items stored facing up in rear prep storage rack. All single service items must be stored inverted.
Observed exterior, sides, and gasket of glass door cooler in front prep area to have heavy accumulation of food residue and debris. Instructed manager to clean and regularly maintain area free of food residue and debris.
Observed no food handler certificates provided on premises. Must show proof of training for all food handler employees.
Observed no allergen training certificate on site. Must show proof of training.
OBSERVED BOXES OVERFLOWING FROM DUMPSTER AND BOXES WERE PLACED OUTSIDE OF DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE DUMPSTER AND EXTRA BOXES PICKED UP. DUMPSTER AND AREA SURROUNDING IT MUST BE CLEAN AND UNCLUTTERED.
OBSERVED NO INSIDE RECEPTACLES FOR KITCHEN PREP OR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED ITEMS IN BASEMENT STORED ON FLOOR, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN SHELVING OR STORAGE THAT WILL KEEP ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR, TO ENSURE THAT FLOOR CAN BE CLEANED.
OBSERVED UNNECCESSARY ITEMS STORED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DECLUTTER AND GET RID OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBAORAGE.
OBSERVED TWO HOLES IN BASEMENT FLOOR, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COVER AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLE AROUND LIGHT SWITCH ON WALL LEADING TO BASEMENT INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO EASILY CLEAN. OBSERVED HOLES AROUND METER ON WALL IN BASEMENT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM STAIRS, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SMOOTHLY SEAL IN ORDER TO EASILY CLEAN.
OBSERVED BUILDUP ON HOODS, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
5-501.16 OBSERVED NO INSIDE RECEPTACLES FOR KITCHEN PREP OR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
6-501.13 OBSERVED ITEMS IN BASEMENT STORED ON FLOOR, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN SHELVING OR STORAGE THAT WILL KEEP ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR, TO ENSURE THAT FLOOR CAN BE CLEANED.
6-201.11 OBSERVED TWO HOLES IN BASEMENT FLOOR, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COVER AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLE AROUND LIGHT SWITCH ON WALL LEADING TO BASEMENT INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL SMOOTHLY AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO EASILY CLEAN. OBSERVED HOLES AROUND METER ON WALL IN BASEMENT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM STAIRS, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SMOOTHLY SEAL IN ORDER TO EASILY CLEAN.
6-501.11 OBSERVED UNNECCESSARY ITEMS STORED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DECLUTTER AND GET RID OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBAORAGE.
4-202.18 OBSERVED BUILDUP ON HOODS, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →
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