SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

SHANGHAI INN RESTAURANT.

BEAT. 36/100

4723 N DAMEN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected August 14, 2025 · passed

Failed 3 of 9 inspections. 6 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
9
6 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
59
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Oct 2020

INSPECTION HISTORY

AUG 14
2025
PASSED
0 violations
AUG 7
2025
FAILED
10 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSOther
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

3-302.11 (A:3-8) (B)--- ALL FOODS THROUGHOUT COOLER AND FREEZER MUST BE PROPERLY PROTECTED, COVERED, WRAPPED.

SERIOUSOther
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

NOTED APPROXIMATELY 80 LBS COOKED TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE OF 8/4/24 INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. BUSINESS HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 7/29/25 INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS INSIDE THE COOLER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12--- ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER BETWEEN USE.---NOTED FOOD ENCRUSTED TABLE TOP CAN OPENER. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.

MINORFacility Condition
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

: 4-903.11(A;C)--- ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE FRONT DINING ROOM SERVER STATION MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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

4-101.19--- MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER STORAGE. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13--- MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT OR STRING AS SHELVING GUARDS. PROVIDE A EASILY CLEANABLE NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(B)--- SOME COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT STILL WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS.----INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS THROUGHOUT WITH FOOD DEBRIS.----EXTERIOR OF ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS INCLUDING BUS PANS USED FOR FOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12-- NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED ON THE ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTER ON THE MACHINE OR VERIFY THAT THE METAL DEVICE ON THE REAR OF THE MACHINE IS AN ACTUAL BACKFLOW PREVENTER.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: 6-201.11--- ALL FLOORS AND WALLS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FACILITY WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT, GREASE AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE DISH MACHINE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE REPLACED.----MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE ALL BASEMENT BOX FREEZERS AND MUST NOT STORE UNDER WASTE WATER PIPING IN BASEMENT. REMOVE BUCKETS AND CRATES FROM OUTSIDE REAR OF PREMISES.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MOLDY WALL CAULKING HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK LEAVING OPEN GAPS AND CREVICES IN THE WALL. MUST SMOOTHLY SEAL.

JUL 29
2025
FAILED
19 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE VERIFICATION (SIGNATURES) ALL EMPLOYEES ARE AWARE OF HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSOther
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

ALL FOODS THROUGHOUT COOLER AND FREEZER MUST BE PROPERLY PROTECTED, COVERED, WRAPPED.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD IN THE KITCHEN TWO DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES: SHRIMP AT 47.1F, EGGS AT 45.3F, COOKED CHICKEN AT 47.8F. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

KITCHEN TWO DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE. COOLER NOTED AT 51.6 WITH FOOD SUCH AS SHRIMP AT 47.1. COOLER TAGGED 'HELD FOR INSPECTION' AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

1 DEAD RAT ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE. MUST REMOVE DEAD RODENT AND CLEAN FLOOR.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OVER 100 RAT DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN: UNDER THE WOKS LINE, UNDER THE DISH WASHING MACHINE, BEHIND ALL TALL REACH-IN COOLERS, UNDER THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND THE STEAM TABLE. ALSO NOTED DROPPINGS IN THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER FOOD STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT FOR RODENTS. ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER BETWEEN USE.---NOTED FOOD ENCRUSTED TABLE TOP CAN OPENER. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.

MINORFacility Condition
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE FRONT DINING ROOM SERVER STATION MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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

MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER STORAGE. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND MONITORING AT ALL TIMES.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT OR STRING AS SHELVING GUARDS. PROVIDE A EASILY CLEANABLE NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

ALL COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS.----INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS THROUGHOUT WITH FOOD DEBRIS.----EXTERIOR OF ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

LEAK FROM DISPENSING CHEMICAL TUBING INTO A PLASTIC CONTAINER ON TOP OF THE DISH MACHINE. MUST REPAIR.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED ON THE ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTER ON THE MACHINE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED SOILED MOPS HANGING IN THE REAR OUTDOOR PATIO. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL SOILED MOPS INVERTED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK WHEN NOT IN USE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ALL FLOORS AND WALLS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FACILITY WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT, GREASE AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE DISH MACHINE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE REPLACED.----MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE ALL BASEMENT BOX FREEZERS AND MUST NOT STORE UNDER WASTE WATER PIPING IN BASEMENT.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL KITCHEN EMPLOYEES TWO CERTIFICATES NEEDED. MUST PROVIDE.

MINORFacility Condition
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2604469 ON 10-10-24 NOT CORRECTED. #47- 4-501.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

OCT 10
2024
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

4-101.19--OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

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

4-501.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 1
2024
FAILED
9 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED LARGE WHITE BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 RODENT (RAT) DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH A METAL STORAGE RACK IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AND REMOVE RODENT DROPPINGS FROM AFFECTED AREAS.RECCOMEND ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A),CITATION ISSUED.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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

OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

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

INSTRUCTED TO TRANSFER FOOD PRODUCTS FROM AN OPEN ORIGINAL CAN CONTAINER INTO FOOD GRADE CONTAINER FOR PROPER FOOD STORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE BUILD-UP INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SOILED CARDBOARDS ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE MAIN KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENTS.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CARDBOARDS FROM THE FLOOR.

show all 9 inspections →
DEC 22
2023
PASSED
7 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE RACKS IN TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR PREP AREA ---ALSO OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS LINER ON SHELVING UNITS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND CARDBOARD ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFood Temperature
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES).

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BASEMENT STORAGE AREA WITH CLUTTER AND ITEMS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND KEEP ITEMS ELEVATED OFF OF FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DIRT BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED INOPERATIVE VENTILATION FANS IN BOTH CUSTOMER TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FANS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITH AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 5
2022
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT AND IN REAR PREP AREA.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SUGAR, RICE ETC)

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH WHITE MOLDLIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE ACCUMULATION UNDERNEATH STOVE IN THE KITCHEN.

OCT 19
2021
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS AND FREEZERS, WIRE STORAGE RACKS NEXT TO THE PREP COOLER AND INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER, STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SHELVES ABOVE THE REAR 2 COMPARTMENT SINK, INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE, AND ENCRUSTED GREASE ON TOP OF THE WOK STATION.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE WALLS OF THE PREP AREA NEXT TO THE WOK STATION AND BEHIND THE DEEP FRYER.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED UNSHIELDED LIGHT FIXTURES ABOVE THE PREP COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS FOR ALL LIGHT FIXTURES.

OCT 23
2020
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

CLEAN AND REMOVE THE DEAD INSECTS FROM THE BASEMENT FLOOR.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

REPAIR THE LEAK UNDERNEATH THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE CEILING OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE AFFECTED AREAS OF THE CEILING.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

CLEAN THE EXCESSIVE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS.

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 LINCOLN SQUARE