SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

SINYA MEDITERRANEAN.

BEAT. 45/100

3224 N DAMEN AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Last inspected July 21, 2025 · passed

Failed an inspection 10 months ago. 5 critical violations on the cumulative record. Recent enough to matter.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
1 passed · 4 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
34
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Mar 2021

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUL 21
2025
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 LABEL FOOD STORED INSIDE THE PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH A COMMON NAME.

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

MISSING KNOB AT LID OF THE HOT HOLDING POT. MUST PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 SEAL HOLE ON WALL BEHIND THE BASEBOARD UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK(WEST

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES IS REQUIRED ON SITE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

JUL 10
2025
FAILED
5 violations
DETAILS
MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

LABEL FOOD STORED INSIDE THE PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH A COMMON NAME.

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

MISSING KNOB AT LID OF THE HOT HOLDING POT.PROVIDE

MINORSanitation
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH THICK GREASE AROUND THE GREASE CONTAINER AND ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GREASE CONTAINER AND ITS SURROUNDING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-020(B),CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

SEAL HOLE ON WALL BEHIND THE BASEBOARD UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK(WEST)

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES IS REQUIRED ON SITE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

NOV 20
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE TCS FOOD ITEM INSIDE WALK IN COOLER TO BE IMPROPER:-SOUP 54F.MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 40 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $50.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. - CORRECTED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

SERIOUSSanitation
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

NOTED A LARGE POTS UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS)

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE U-JOINT PIPE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH THICK GREASE AROUND THE GREASE CONTAINER AND ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GREASE CONTAINER AND ITS SURROUNDING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-020(B).CITATION ISSUED. - COS

OCT 4
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE TCS FOOD ITEM INSIDE WALK IN COOLER TO BE IMPROPER:-SOUP 54F.MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 40 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $50.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSSanitation
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

NOTED A LARGE POTS UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS)

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE U-JOINT PIPE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH THICK GREASE AROUND THE GREASE CONTAINER AND ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GREASE CONTAINER AND ITS SURROUNDING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-020(B).CITATION ISSUED.

MAR 3
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
11 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MANTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES.OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE IN FRONT PREP AREA COOKING CHICKEN ON GRILL THEN RINSING HANDS UNDER RUNNING WATER WITH GLOVES ON THEN IMMEDIATELY HANDLED READY-TO-EAT PITA BREAD, CUT LETTUCE FOR SALAD AND NO HANDWASHING.INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS ONLY AT HANDWASHING SINK AND MUST WASH HANDS AFTER ANY AND EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010,CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSFood Storage & Handling
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN ON SKEWERS STORED ABOVE READY-TO-EAT BLENDED CHICKPEA PUREED USED TO PREPARE HUMMUS LOCATED IN WALK-IN-COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROPERLY STORE ALL RAW FOODS SO THEY WILL NOT CROSS CONTAMINATE READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED TWO COOKING SPIT UNITS AT FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA NOT ON WITH TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES: OBSERVED BEEF/LAMB AT 55.4F-56.1F AND GYRO MEAT AT 64.0F-67.1F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT COOKING SPIT UNITS MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY ON AS MEAT IS SHAVED FOR PLATING FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, HOT TCS FOODS MUST MAINTAIN HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF ABOVE 135F AT ALL TIMES. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 50# OF FOOD WORTH $500. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.

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

OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE FRONT PREP LINE COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT PREP/COOKING AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENTS.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOODS/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATIONS OF DUSTS BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATES.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

show all 6 inspections →
MAR 9
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.

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

OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING/NOT WORKING AT LEFT SIDE AND MIDDLE COMPARTMENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED DRAINPIPE LEAKING UNDER THE LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESS CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE OFFICE NEAR THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEAN ALL CLUTTER, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN AREAS AT ALL TIMES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR HIRED EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDED AND MAINTAIN ON FILE.

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 NORTH CENTER