WEN CAI CHINESE KITCHEN.

Chicago Health Dept

2334 W CERMAK RD · PILSEN, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Jul 2025), 1 critical violation noted.

8 inspections on record since 2017 · Last inspected Jul 2025 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUL 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUL 14

2025

PASS 9 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

SPICES BY THE WOK STATION OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND IN CONTAINERS WITHOUT A LABEL WITH THE PRODUCT NAMES. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DRY SPICES OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

FLY STRIP HANGING BY REAR HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FLY STRIP AND TO USE ONLY IN NON FOOD PREP AREAS. MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

PLASTIC CONTAINERS USED TO SCOOP TCS FOODS STORED IN THE REACH IN COOLERS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSILS AND TO PROPERLY STORE SAID UTENSIL(S) IN A BIN/CONTAINER OR HANDLE UP IN THE PRODUCT WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED ON THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE RACKS AS A LINER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOIL AND KEEP SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

THE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER, THE PREP TABLES, EXTERIOR/INTERIOR OF THE SINKS (INCLUDING THE FAUCET KNOBS) WITH A BUILD UP OF FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

Serious Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

EXCESSIVE FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS ON ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, THE WOK STATION, INTERIOR OF FRYERS AND STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

THE BASE OF THE FAUCET ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKS. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD, GREASE AND DIRT DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND THE HOT WATER HEATER AND REFRIGERATORS, UNDER ALL PREP TABLES, AND ALL DRY STORAGE SHELVES. MAINTAIN SAME.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FILTERS ON THE VENTILATION HOOD WITH GREASE, DIRT AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION FILTERS.

AUG 16

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Food Storage & Handling

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS (COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED EGG ROLLS) HELD IN A REFRIGERATOR FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AND NOT LABELED WITH THE DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED ALL READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS THAT ARE HELD IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE LABELED WITH DISCARD DATES NOT EXCEEDINGLY MORE THAN 7 DAYS (DAY 1 IS THE DAY OF PREPARATION). MANAGER PROVIDED LABELS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 OBSERVED SOME DRY STORAGE AND SPICES BY THE WOK STATION OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND IN CONTAINERS WITHOUT A LABEL WITH THE PRODUCT NAMES. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DRY STORAGE AND SPICES OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.13 OBSERVED FLY TRAPS HANGING BY THE HOT WATER HEATER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12 OBSERVED SCOOPS STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINERS WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE SCOOPS PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

4-502.13 OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING RE-USED AS A SHELF LINER. INSTRUCTED TO NOT REUSE CARDBOARD; ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Serious Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) OBSERVED EXCESSIVE FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS ON ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, THE WOK STATION, INTERIOR OF FRYERS, STOVE, AND ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE DOORS AND HANDLES OF THE REFRIGERATION UNITS AND GASKETS ON THE PREP COOLER, 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD, GREASE AND DIRT DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND THE HOT WATER HEATER AND REFRIGERATORS, UNDER ALL PREP TABLES, AND ALL DRY STORAGE SHELVES.

SEP 25

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN WALK-IN COOLER: RAW EGGS 63.8F, RAW CHICKEN 60.3F, RAW BEEF 60.2F, TOFU 60.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 100 LBS AND $350 WORTH OF FOOD. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 64F INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER AT 41F OR BELOW. WALK-IN COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED FLY STRIPS HANGING IN PREP AREA ABOVE HAND WASHING SINK AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 10

2021

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN ALL PREP TABLES, DRY STORAGE SHELVING AND INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS NEED CLEANING THROUGH TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND GREASE.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FILTERS AND THE HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

NOV 6

2020

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT PREP COOLER AND REACH IN COOLER TO RMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS NEED CLEANING UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT AND DRY STORAGE SHELVING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN THE AIR VENT COVER ABOVE THE PREP STATION TO REMOVE DUST.

show all 8 inspections →

FEB 7

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES ON PREMISES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM GLOVES, FACE MASKS,DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPRORIATE SANITIZER WITH PROPER TEST STRIPS(1000-5000PPM), OR DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED TCS FOODS STORED IN COOLER WITH ONLY PREPARED DATE, INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND DATE TO INDICATE THE DATE OR DAY BY WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE CONSUMED, SOLD,OR DISCARDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTH ON REAR PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CUT MEATS/FRUIT IN FREEZER AND IN WALK-IN COOLER CUT VEGETABLES IN GROCERY BAGS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS, OR FOOD GRADE BAGS ie. ZIP-LOC, OR BAGGIES.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

DEC 6

2017

PASS 5 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON SMOOTHIE PREP COOLER.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD UP FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF WOK STATION,(BOTH)GREASE TRAPS,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,PREP COOLERS,UNDERSIDES OF SHELVING UNITS ABOVE PREP COOLERS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Inspector Comments: MUST SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES LEADING INTO CEILINGS.MUST CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS IN DINING AREA AND CEILING VENTS.MUST REMOVE GRAFFITI FROM WALL IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

Inspector Comments: MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT ABOVE SERVICE COUNTER

Minor Sanitation

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

Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMP SINK THAT HAS A FOUL ODOR.

NOV 28

2017

FAIL 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 25 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES CRAWLING IN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 1- COMPARTMENT SINK AND EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP.ALSO.APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRY DOOR.MUST RODENT PROOF DOOR.CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOOR DRAINS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 11/28/17.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON SMOOTHIE PREP COOLER.MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD AND FOIL FROM TOP OF STOVE,SHELVING UNITS IN KITCHEN AND INSIDE OF SMOOTHIE PREP COOLER,RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD UP FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF WOK STATION,FRYERS,(BOTH)GREASE TRAPS,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,PREP COOLERS,UNDERSIDES OF SHELVING UNITS ABOVE PREP COOLERS,PREP TABLES,FOOD STORAGE BINS(BLACK).

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER WOK STATION AND THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

MUST SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES LEADING INTO CEILINGS.MUST CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS IN DINING AREA AND CEILING VENTS.MUST REMOVE GRAFFITI FROM WALL IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT ABOVE SERVICE COUNTER.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMP SINK.MUST CLEAN GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMP SINK THAT HAS A FOUL ODOR .

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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