SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

TANAKA RAMEN.

YOUR CALL. 50/100

553-555 W DIVERSEY PKWY · LINCOLN PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected June 12, 2025 · passed with conditions

3 of 5 inspections passed, 1 failed, 1 passed with conditions. 7 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
5
3 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
37
includes 7 critical
RECORDS COVER
2 YEARS
since Mar 2023

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 12
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations4 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

NO PERSON IN CHARGE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(TOFU, EGGS). MUST HAVE A CFM ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. CFM ARRIVED ON SITE AT 2:10 PM.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALSanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

SEP 6
2024
PASSED
10 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND ALSO OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF FRONT PREP TABLES. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDERNETAH FOOD PREPARATION TABLES, AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS INSIDE ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. ALSO OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHING FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO WALLS IN REAR OF PREMISES NEAR TO EXIT DOOR. MUST SEAL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN PREMISES IN A GOOD REPAIR.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

AUG 28
2024
FAILED
12 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.

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

OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND ALSO OBSERVED RUSTY BOTTOM OF FRONT PREP TABLES. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK DRAINING SLOW IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS INSIDE ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. ALSO OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO WALLS IN REAR OF PREMISES NEAR TO EXIT DOOR. MUST SEAL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN PREMISES IN A GOOD REPAIR.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHING FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDERNETAH FOOD PREPARATION TABLES, AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

CRITICALPest Activity
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2575709 ON 5/11/23. #58 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENDING CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE. #55. ALL ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO IE: UNUSED PREP TABLES AND FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING. NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE REAR PREP. MUST PROPERLY STORE AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

MAY 11
2023
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORFood Temperature
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11 NOTED DISHWARE AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC. MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE SNEEZE GUARDS TO PROTECT.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(B)-MUST REMOVE PLASTIC TAPE ON THE FRONT PREP COOLER DOOR AND PEELING TAPE NOTED ON THE SPLASH GUARDS OF THE REAR PREP ONE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE ALL.----EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT PREP SHELVING.MUST REMOVE RUST. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. -----EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVES IN THE REAR PREP WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 EXTREMELY SLOW DRAINING HANDWASHING SINK AT THE BAR. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY DRAIN.

CRITICALPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11 MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE THE KITCHEN ICE MACHINE. MUST REPLACE.-- 6-501.114--- ALL ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO IE: UNUSED PREP TABLES AND FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING. : 6-501.113-- NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE REAR PREP. MUST PROPERLY STORE AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENDING CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.

MAR 14
2023
PASSED
6 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORFood Temperature
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

NOTED DISHWARE AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC. MUST REMOVE OR PROVIDE SNEEZE GUARDS TO PROTECT.

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

MUST PROVIDE STOPPERS FOR THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. BROKEN ATTACHED STOPPERS AT THE KITCHEN/DISH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

-MUST REMOVE PLASTIC TAPE ON THE FRONT PREP COOLER DOOR AND PEELING TAPE NOTED ON THE SPLASH GUARDS OF THE REAR PREP ONE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE ALL.----EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT PREP SHELVING.MUST REMOVE RUST. ALL MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. -----EXTERIOR OF THE GAS STOVES IN THE REAR PREP WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

EXTREMELY SLOW DRAINING HANDWASHING SINK AT THE BAR. MUST REPAIR TO PROPERLY DRAIN.

CRITICALPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11--MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE THE KITCHEN ICE MACHINE. MUST REPLACE.-- 6-501.114--- ALL ITEMS STORED ON THE REAR PATIO IE: UNUSED PREP TABLES AND FURNITURE MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING. : 6-501.113-- NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE REAR PREP. MUST PROPERLY STORE AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE PENDING CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST 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 LINCOLN PARK