URBAN ESSENTIALS.
5300-5302 W CHICAGO AVE · HUMBOLDT PARK, CHICAGO
Failed 3 of 7 inspections. 11 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
NOV 52025PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED FOOD HANLDERS NOT WASHING HANDS WHEN CHANGING TASK. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS TOUCHING GLASSES/FACE, ON THE PHONE, TOUCHING COMPUTER SCREEN TO TAKE ORDERS AND THEN WITHOUT WASHING HANDS STARTED TO PREPARE FOOD/BEVERAGE ITEMS FOR CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED MUST WASH HANDS AFTER CONTAMINATING HANDS BEFORE PREPARING FOOD ITEMS. FOOD HANDLER WASHED HANDS AFTER ASKED TO. PRIORITY 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED
3-201.11 (A): OBSERVED FOOD OBTAINED FROM AN UNAPPROVED SOURCE. THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS ARE ON DISPLAY FOR SALE: BAKED COOKIES AND SLICES OF CAKE AND COOKIES IN SINGLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS/BAGS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER WITH NO LABELS OR ORIGINAL BOXES PRESENT. AN INADEQUATE INVOICE WAS PROVIDED THAT READ DIANA'S SWEET BOUTIQUE WITH NO ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS TO CONFIRM THIS IS AN APPROVED FOOD SOURCE. MUST ONLY PROVIDE FOOD ITEMS FROM APPROVED FOOD SOURCES AND MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROOF. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WERE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED DURING INSPECTION. APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS OF PRODUCT WERE DISCARDED AT $80 WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE WITH FOOD SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLE IN THE FRONT WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
MAY 292025PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED A FORK AND COOKING UTENSIL IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT CRUMBS AND SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVES AND THE FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
MAY 272025FAILED5 violationsDETAILS
4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED A FORK AND COOKING UTENSIL IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT CRUMBS AND SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVES AND THE FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
8-404.13 (B:3 OBSERVED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE NOT CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #38:6-501.111: SILL OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK MUST CONSIST OF THE MOST RECENT RECORD OF VISIT AND PEST CONTROL IDPH LICENSE NUMBER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED PEST CONTROL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED
MAY 202025FAILED8 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED FOOD OBTAINED FROM AN UNAPPROVED SOURCE. THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS ARE ON DISPLAY FOR SALE: BAKED COOKIES, SLICES OF CAKE IN SINGLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND A WHOLE CAKE WITHOUT ANY LABELS OR ORIGINAL BOXES PRESENT. NO INVOICES, REVIEW OF SUPPLIER NAMES, AND UNABLE TO PRESENT DOCUMENTS OF THE FOOD SOURCE. A PERSON ON SITE PROVIDED A ZELLE TRANSACTION. MUST MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WERE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED DURING INSPECTION. APPROXIMATELY 15 LBS OF PRODUCT WERE DISCARDED AT $125 WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED NO PROBE STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES ON SITE AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. PEST CONTROL MUST CONSIST OF THE MOST RECENT RECORD OF VISIT AND PEST CONTROL IDPH LICENSE NUMBER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED PEST CONTROL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020 (C), CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED A FORK AND COOKING UTENSIL IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE OUTER AND INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT CRUMBS AND SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVES AND THE FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
DEC 112024PASS W/ CONDITIONS9 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE STORED/PREPARED/SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN THE FOOD PREP TABLE COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (SALT AND SAUCES/CONDIMENTS) NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE COMMON FOOD NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN THE FREEZER AND PREP TABLE COOLER BEING STORED IMPRPERLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC BAGS AND STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/FREEZER BAGS.
OBSERVED MOP DRYING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO DRY PROPERLY.
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MINOR DEBRIS/DIRT AT VENT IN THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO/MISSING LIGHT BULB COVERS/SHIELDS THORUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
show all 7 inspections →
DEC 42024FAILED13 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY AT THE START TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE STORED/PREPARED/SERVED. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER, HARRY GILMORE ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED HOME PREPARED FOOD ITEMS (TURKEY CHILI AND CHICKEN SOUP) BEING STORED/SOLD IN THE FOOD PREP COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED THAT HOME PREPARED FOOD MUST NOT BE STORED/SOLD IN THE FACILITY. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS IN A GARBAGE BAG AND DENATURED WITH BLEACH AND TAKEN TO THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN THE FOOD PREP TABLE COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (SALT AND SAUCES/CONDIMENTS) NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE COMMON FOOD NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN THE FREEZER AND PREP TABLE COOLER BEING STORED IMPRPERLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC BAGS AND STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/FREEZER BAGS.
OBSERVED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIPS ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED MINOR LEAK/DRIP AT HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MOP DRYING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO DRY PROPERLY.
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MINOR DEBRIS/DIRT AT VENT IN THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO/MISSING LIGHT BULB COVERS/SHIELDS THORUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
SEP 282023PASS W/ CONDITIONS12 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO SPRAY EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS IN VOMIT AND DIARRHEA SPILL KIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPRAY EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
OBSERVED GAP ON SIDE OF REAR EXIT DOOR NEXT TO WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
OBSERVED UNSEAL WOOD IN BLOCK ON FLOOR BEHIND PREP TABLES AND INTERIOR OF COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL ALL WOOD FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED SODA CANS STORED ON SODA CRATES, CHEMICALS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BOXES UNDERNEATH COUNTER STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO STORE FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
OBSERVED DOOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SPILLAGE ON EXTERIOR OF ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPILLAGE ON PREP TABLE BASE HOLDING ONE DOOR COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SMALL TOASTER OVEN WITH BUILDUP ON INTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBERVED SMALL PANINI GRILL WITH BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE WHERE IT CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED. OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK WHERE IT CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED.
OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
OBSERVED STAINED CEILING IN REAR SEATING AREA NEAR MURAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLES IN WALL NEXT TO DOOR AND BEHIND MOP SINK IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING BASE BOARDS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPILLAGE ON WALL AND ALONG BASE OF WALL IN PREP AREA, IN HALLWAY AND IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS IN WINDOWSILLS IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR, ALONG BASE BOARDS, IN CORNERS, IN HALLWAY AND UTILITY CLOSET.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MOP STORED IN BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVER IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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 →