SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

SOUTHPORT GROCERY AND CAFE.

YOUR CALL. 53/100

3552 N SOUTHPORT AVE · LAKEVIEW, CHICAGO

Last inspected March 24, 2026 · passed with conditions

3 of 6 inspections passed, 2 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 3 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
3 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
29
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
2 YEARS
since Aug 2023

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 24
2026
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSOther
COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP

FOUND NO HACCP ONSITE FOR PICKLING, CANNING, ACIDIFICATION, AND FERMINTATION AN HACCP IS REQUIRED FOR SAID PROCESSES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SUBMIT HACCP AND VARIANCE FOR APPROVAL FOR ALL PROCESS. ALL ITEMS 4004 POUNDS WITH A COST OF $35,000 TAGGED AT TIME OF INSPECTION, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NOT SALE OR CONSUME SAID PRODUCT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED

MINOROther
VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS

FOUND NO VARIANCE ON-SITE FOR THE PICKLING, CANNING, ACIDIFICATION, AND FERMINTATION COOKING PROCESS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION #29.

MINORSanitation
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

OBSERVED PRESET TABLEWARE AT ALL DINING TABLES. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL PRESET TABLEWARE (UTENSILS AND GLASSWARE) SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED, OR SET TABLES UPON CUSTOMER ARRIVAL AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED 3 COMP SINK ON 2ND FLOOR DISH AREA LEAKING FROM PIPES BELOW 3RD BASIN INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

MAY 14
2025
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR NOT WORKING. MUST INSTALL A WORKING SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND UNDERNEATH DISHWASHING AREA IN FOOD PREPARATION LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR. OBSERVED DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES ON IN FRONT OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA LOCATED IN THE 1ST FLOOR. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

MAY 6
2025
FAILED
13 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT COFFEE PREP AREA AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED FOOD ICE NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF BLACK AND PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH PRODUCT NAME WHEN NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS IN THE 1ST AND 2ND FLOOR. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE ICE BUCKETS IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS A LNER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP/SERVING LINE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR NOT WORKING. MUST INSTALL A WORKING SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND UNDERNEATH DISHWASHING AREA IN FOOD PREPARATION LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR. OBSERVED DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES ON IN FRONT OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA LOCATED IN THE 1ST FLOOR. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS OR FOOD STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE STORAGE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT BULBS ON BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPLACE BURN OUT LIGTHS AND MAINTAIN INTENSITY LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

MINORFacility Condition
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2597939 ON 07/23/2024. VIOLATION#55. OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT ABOVE 1ST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE PEELING CEILING PAINT AT SAID LOCATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

JUL 23
2024
PASSED
1 violation
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT ABOVE 1ST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE PEELING CEILING PAINT AT SAID LOCATION.

JUL 16
2024
FAILED
4 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED BLACK DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. ALL ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP COOLERS REACH IN COOLERS CONDENSERS ALONG COOKLINE. MUST CLEAN COOLERS CONDENSERS AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BROKEN CAULKING BETWEEN HANDWASHING SINK AND WALL AT 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. REPAIR ISSUE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT ABOVE 1ST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE PEELING CEILING PAINT AT SAID LOCATION.

show all 6 inspections →
AUG 15
2023
PASSED
5 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NO HANDSIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN.SIGN MUST BE PROVIDED IN ALL HANDWASHING SINK

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

A GAP OF 1/4" AT BOTTOM FRONT DOOR. REPAIR ISSUE TO MINIMIZE PEST AND INSECT ENTRY

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

INVERTED CLEAN PLATES ARE STORED ON PEELING WOOD SURFACE IN DINING AREA.INSRUCTED TO REMOVE OR PROVIDE FOOD GRADE MATERIAL TO STORE SAID PLATES TO MINIMIZE SOURCE CONTAMINATION

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BROKEN CAULKING BETWEEN HANDWASHING SINK AMD WALL INSIDE THE EAST WASHROOM IN DINING AREA. REPAIR ISSUE

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NO VENTILATION PROVIDED INSIDE THE STAFF WASHROOM AT SECOND FLOOR/BAKERY AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE

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 LAKEVIEW