SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

VELA.

YOUR CALL. 54/100

352 W HUBBARD ST · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO

Last inspected November 6, 2025 · passed with conditions

1 of 4 inspections passed, 1 failed, 2 passed with conditions. 5 critical violations across the record.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
4
1 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
14
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Jun 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

NOV 6
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
SERIOUSFood Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER.OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN AT 55.9F, COOKED BEEF AND CHEESE MIX AT 48.6F, COOKED BEANS AT 57.7F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 6#'S OF FOOD WORTH $50.00.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOUBLE DOORS LEADING TO THE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS WITH GAPS/OPENINGS APPROX 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM OF DOORS.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 24
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALChemical Safety
FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE

OBSERVED COMMERICALLY PACKAGED FRUIT WITH NO FOOD LABEL. OBSERVED COMMERICALLY PACKAGED GOOSEBERRIES AND CUT UP PINEAPPLES IN SAUCE WITH NO FOOD LABEL. INSTRUCTED COMMERICALLY PACKAGED FOOD SHALL BE LABELED AS SPECIFIED IN LAW. CORRECTED ON SITE COMMERICALLY PACKAGED FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED(WEIGHT 4LBS/ VALUED $40) BY FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSOther
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCCOKED, COOKED TO ORDER OR CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCCOKED INGREDIENTS. CORRECTED ON SITE FACILITY ADDED ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ON MENU THAT ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED, COOKED TO ORDER OR CONTAIN RAW OR UNDER COOKED INGREDIENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

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

OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED STOPPER OF WASH COMPARTMENT LEAKING WHEN COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING STOPPER OF WASH COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

JUN 14
2024
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

6-501.19: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHELL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-304.11: OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSTALLED IN WASHROOM AREA(INDIVIDUAL STALLS OR WASHROOM AREA AS A UNIT). INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN WASHROOM AREA.

JUN 13
2024
FAILED
4 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED TWO MISSING HANDWASHING SINKS IN COMMON AREA OF WASHROOM AREA FOR CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS WHO USE TWO STALLS WITH NO HANDWASHING SINKS IN INTERIOR OF STALL. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HANDWASHING SINKS IN COMMON AREA OF WASHROOM FOR CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS WHO USE TWO STALLS WITH NO HANDWASHING SINKS IN INTERIOR OF STALL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHELL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS.

MINORFacility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSTALLED IN WASHROOM AREA(INDIVIDUAL STALLS OR WASHROOM AREA AS A UNIT). INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN WASHROOM AREA.

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 RIVER NORTH