Chicago
40
BEAT

True Food Kitchen

1-9 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654 · River North · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
40/100

Passed most recently but 3 prior failures on record

Inspections
11
8 passed
Last Inspected
2025-07-16
Pass Rate
73%
3 failures
Score
40/100
BEAT
Passed most recent inspection (2025-07-16)
Failed 3 inspections (2025, 2024, 2023)
Pest Activity issues found across 4 inspections
Documentation & Training issues found across 2 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation serious 13×
🐀
Pest Activity critical
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🔧
Facility Condition minor
🌡
Food Temperature serious
📌
Other serious
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
Chemical Safety minor
2025-07-16 Pass Complaint Re-Inspection
1
serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

4-602.11(B-E)--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.

2025-07-08 Fail Complaint
CRITICAL 11
critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN,HUMMUS ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS.INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGE...

serious Sanitation

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.

minor Chemical 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).

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.APPROXIMATELY 30 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED ON THE WALLS AND CEILING TILES IN THE REAR DISHWASHING ROOM AND IN THE UTILITY MOP SINK AREA.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE...

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

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

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE MAIN FRONT PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND TO MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE DISHMACHINE WITH DRIED UP DEBRIS AND TO MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE REAR STORAGE ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS, AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND TO MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS OF THE DISHWASHING ROOM AND REAR STORAGE ROOM AND UTILITY MOP SINK AREA INCLUDING ALL FLOOR DRAINS IN BAR AREAS AND TO MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS INSIDE THE WASHROOMS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND TO MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2597228 DATED:07/09/2024 #44---4-904.13: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM...

2024-07-09 Pass Complaint Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 3
critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOUBLE DOORS AND OPENING ON LEFT CORNER AT BASE OF GARAGE LIKE DOOR IN DUMPSTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

minor Sanitation

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

4-903.12: OBSERVED CONDENSATION FROM CEILING DRIPPING ONTO CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS ON SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN SAID AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE.

minor Sanitation

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

4-904.13: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED.

2024-07-01 Fail Complaint
CRITICAL 5
serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD, ROASTED CORN, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 50.9F . INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $5 WEIGHING 1.4LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATI...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER . INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE STATING THAT ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED, OR COOKED TO OR...

critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOUBLE DOORS AND OPENING ON LEFT CORNER AT BASE OF GARAGE LIKE DOOR IN DUMPSTER AREA INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CONDENSATION FROM CEILING DRIPPING ONTO CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS ON SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN SAID AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE.

minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED.

2023-12-14 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2023-12-12 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

No certified food service manager on site, no certificate posted while handling and serving TCS foods ( chicken, fish...) instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

No hot running water at men's toilet room hand wash sinks, 56f. Instructed to provide 100-120f water temp range at all hand wash sinks. Priority violation 7-38-030(C)

serious Other

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

No heat strips/ dish machine thermometer for high temps dish machine, instructed to obtain, Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

2022-11-30 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED LOCK IS BROKEN ON FAMILY RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

serious Food Temperature

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED SLIGHT LEAK COMING FROM HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

2021-05-25 Pass Complaint
2
minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND LEAKY FAUCET BASE ON MULTIPLE SINKS (3-COMP), INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHT IN HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

2020-01-24 Pass Canvass

No violations found.

2019-01-18 Pass Canvass
1
minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

FOOD HANDLERS WITH LONG BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.

2018-02-20 Pass License
2
minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED CLEAN DISHES STORED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE BAR HAND SINK WITHOUT PROPER SPLASH GUARD IN PLACE. ALSO OBSERVED FOOD PREP SINK DIRECTLY NEXT TO HAND SINK IN WALK IN COOLER WITHOUT PROPER SPLASH GUARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARDS AT THESE ...

minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED HOOD ABOVE DISH MACHINE WITH SOME AIR FLOW ISSUES: THE LEFT SIDE VENT IS NOT PULLING AIR OUT AS HARD AS IT SHOULD (RIGHT SIDE FUNCTIONING REGULARLY). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HOOD SO THAT AIR IS EXHAUSTED PROPERLY.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.