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ALPS ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

3637 W IRVING PARK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ALPS ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 28, 2024. The most recent inspection, on February 26, 2026, recorded 12 infractions.

None of the 3 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 on February 26, 2026. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on February 26, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 once on February 26, 2026. 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 once on February 28, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 10 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR EXPOSED HAND WASHIG SINK IN THE FRONT KITCHEN PREP AREA AND IN THE FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ELEVATEALL FOOD ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE PREP COOLER LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE SHELVING.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REMOVE AND CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE AT THE EXPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES PROVIDED IN THE MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A FEW WATER DAMAGED AND MISSING CEILING TILES IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA AND REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR/PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER ON THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITES CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 DEAD ROACHES LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS NEAR ICE MACHINE, NEAR DEEP FRYING EQUIPMENT, UNDER DISHWASHER NEAR DRAIN, UNDER THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BY REAR EXIT BEHIND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED PLATES AND BOWLS IN FRONT SERVING AREA NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT PLATES AFTER SANITIZING AND AIR DRYING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED 1 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT ATTACHED TO WATER LINES AND DRAIN. SINK IS PART OF PREP TABLE. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PREP SINK.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IS NEEDED ON THE WATER INTAKE LINE FOR THE COFFEE MACHINE ON THE SERVICE LINE. OBSERVED BACK FLOW PREVENTION DIVICE NEEDED ON WATER INTAKE LINE OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WALL MISSING TILES. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

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