FEB 3
2026
PASSED
9 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
THE GOOD LIFE SOUL FOOD CAFE.
BEAT. 32/100
11226-11238 S HALSTED ST · ROSELAND, CHICAGO
Last inspected February 3, 2026 · passed
Failed 3 of 6 inspections. 9 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
6
3 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
54
includes 9 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Oct 2024
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
JAN 272026FAILED10 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
JAN 27
2026
FAILED
10 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
RODENT DROPPINGS ON THE PREMISES. 60 BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT/FRYERS; 40 IN THE FRYERS; 60 IN THE CORNERS OF THE MOP SINK AREA AND 40 ALONG THE WALL BASE BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BAKERY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICES. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
APR 22025PASSED1 violationDETAILS
APR 2
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
MAR 262025FAILED10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 26
2025
FAILED
10 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN BAKERY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON COMPRESSOR UNIT NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAKERY, INSIDE COMPRESSOR UNIT OF PREP COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA, ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS NEAR UTILITY SINK AND WATER HEATER IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF SOUTHEAST DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED NO LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2605791 ON 11-1-24:39-OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. 58- OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
NOV 12024PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
NOV 1
2024
PASSED
7 violationsDETAILS
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
show all 6 inspections →
OCT 232024FAILED17 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 23
2024
FAILED
17 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 47.2F AND SEVERAL COOLERS NOT OPERABLE. ALL COOLERS MUST MAINTAIN 41 FOR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER FRONT COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED STOPPERS NOT OPERABLE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT MULTIPLE SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT LEAST 100F AT HAND WASHING SINKS AND 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED PEELING SURFACES IN CEILING OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DEBRIS ONFLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
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 →