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ALEXANDER'S THE GREAT

4357 N WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ALEXANDER'S THE GREAT has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 5, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 17, 2025, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 7 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 17, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2025. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 8 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2025. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

7 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 DEAD COCKROACHES ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AREA (ALONG NORTHERN WALL). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD COCKROACHES AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS OF THE FACILITY FREE FROM DEAD OR TRAPPED BIRDS, INSECTS, RODENTS AND OTHER PESTS TO PREVENT DECOMPOSITION AND ATTRACTION OF ADDITIONAL PESTS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREA(S).
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED BOXES OF UNCUT TOMATOES STORED DIRECTLY BENEATH STAIRWELL IN THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE UNCUT TOMATOES AND MAINTAIN FOOD ITEMS OUTSIDE OF PROHIBITED AREAS SUCH AS BENEATH STAIRWELLS DURING STORAGE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED CERAMIC PLATE USED AS A SCOOP IN THE BASEMENT AREA ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CERAMIC PLATE AND REPLACE WITH MUTLI-USE UTENSIL WITH A HANDLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE WHILE SCOOPING AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Complaint

    9 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER TRAINING ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES OF OPERATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL COPY OF CERTIFICATE ON-SITE WHILE TCS FOOD ITEMS (CHEESESTEAKS, WINGS) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND ORIGINAL COPY OF CERTIFICATE POSTED ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES OF FOOD OPERATIONS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • SEE VIOLATION #60.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED MAIN COOK LINE COOLER AT IMPROPER INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING TCS FOOD ITEMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE AWARE OF EQUIPMENT IN POOR REPAIR AND REMOVED ALL TCS FOOD FROM COOLER PRIOR TO INSPECTOR ARRIVAL, AND PROVIDED PROOF OF SCHEDULED REPAIR FROM LICENSED TECHNICIAN AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LINE COOLER TO MAINTAIN INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE ADEQUATE FOR COLD-HOLDING TCS FOOD ITEMS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. TAGGED EQUIPMENT ON-SITE WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT CDPH ONCE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 DEAD COCKROACHES ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AREA (ALONG NORTHERN WALL). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD COCKROACHES AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS OF THE FACILITY FREE FROM DEAD OR TRAPPED BIRDS, INSECTS, RODENTS AND OTHER PESTS TO PREVENT DECOMPOSITION AND ATTRACTION OF ADDITIONAL PESTS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREA(S).
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED BOXES OF UNCUT TOMATOES STORED DIRECTLY BENEATH STAIRWELL IN THE BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE UNCUT TOMATOES AND MAINTAIN FOOD ITEMS OUTSIDE OF PROHIBITED AREAS SUCH AS BENEATH STAIRWELLS DURING STORAGE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED CERAMIC PLATE USED AS A SCOOP IN THE BASEMENT AREA ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CERAMIC PLATE AND REPLACE WITH MUTLI-USE UTENSIL WITH A HANDLE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE WHILE SCOOPING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • SEE VIOLATION #60.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING CORE VIOLATIONS FROM PREVIOUS CANVASS INSPECTION (INSPECTION NO. 2613925) ON 3/17/2025 NOT CORRECTED AT TIME OF CURRENT COMPLAINT INSPECTION: #16 4-602.11(B-E): OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #53 5-501.17: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS' TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE FOR THE WOMENS' TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ALL CORE VIOLATIONS FROM PREVIOUS CANVASS INSPECTION AND CORRECT ALL VIOLATIONS BY THE CORRECT BY DATE LISTED ON THE INSPECTION REPORT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED. PREMISES SERVES TCS FOODS: EGGS, STEAK, TURKEY, CHICKEN, ETC. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THEY MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN, POST CERTIFICATE VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED OVERHEAD WASTE PIPES NOT SHIELDED IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENCASE ALL WASTE LINES TO INTERCEPT POTENTIAL DRIPS. (FOOD MAY NOT BE STORED UNDER LEAKY WATER LINES,SEWER LINES,MECHANICAL ROOMS,TOILET ROOMS,LOCKER ROOMS,OPEN STAIRWELLS,GARBAGE ROOMS)
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS' TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE FOR THE WOMENS' TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 DEAD ROACHES THROUGHOUT BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD INSECTS AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF DEAD PESTS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SINGLE USE PLASTIC CONTAINERS, SUCH AS OLD NUTELLA CONTAINERS, USED TO STORE FOOD, SUCH AS GRAVY. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF OLD CONTAINERS AND USE ONLY FOOD GRADE, RE-USUABLE CONTAINERS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME IN INTERIOR OF GASKETS ON 3 DOOR COOLER IN PREP AREA OPPOSITE GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATOR, WASHING MACHINE, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND DELI DSIPLAY CASE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • 5-501.115 OBSERVED PIECES OF WOOD AND DEBRIS ON GROUND BEHIND GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH PERSON ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS (BEEF, CHICKEN, PORK, SOUPS, SALADS ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED. CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • FOUND NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS OR TEST STRIPS/STICKERS ARE PROVIDED TO MEASURE THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS/PLATES (HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE WITH GAUGE READING 192F). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SURFACE TEMPERATURE TEST STRIPS OR IRREVERSIBLE (SURFACE) REGISTERING THERMOMETER TO TAKE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER INSIDE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED PIECES OF WOOD AND DEBRIS ON GROUND BEHIND GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES/CARDBOARD BOXES IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. FOOD AND NON FOOD MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING AND TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2567926 ISSUED ON 12-05-2022 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED #53 - OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOORS.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON BOTH WASHROOM DOORS. #58 - ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CURRENT CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
  7. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED REAR BASEMENT EXIT DOOR WITH GAPS AND OPENINGS AT BOTTOM OF DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO PEST PROOF SAID DOOR ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE 3-DOOR PREP LINE COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOORS.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON BOTH WASHROOM DOORS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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