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AUSTIN SENIOR CENTER

5071 W CONGRESS PKWY, CHICAGO, IL 60644 · Restaurant (Golden Diner)

Inspection summary

AUSTIN SENIOR CENTER has been inspected 20 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 10, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 6, 2026, found no infractions.

9 of 20 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Chemicals and toxic substances.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 27, 2015. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 December 1, 2016. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on December 1, 2016. For example: DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 11 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on August 22, 2017. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 19, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

20 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS IN PREP AREA ON FLOORS UNDERNEATH TABLE AND ALONG SIDE OF COOLING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED UTILITY SERVICE LINES AND PIPES IN THE UTILITY CLOSET CEILING. INSTRUCTED FOOD MANAGER TO COVER THE EXPOSED CEILING AREA SO THAT IT IS SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE KITCHEN AND UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE AND REPAINT CHIPPED AREAS TO ENSURE WALLS ARE SEALED, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  10. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE KITCHEN, ALSO BETWEEN EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
  11. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM THE REAR STORAGE CLOSET,TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
  12. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#1976284 DATE 12-01-2016(22)OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES,TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER,WHEN SINK IS SET UP FOR WASH,RINSE,AND SANITIZE,CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM THE REAR STORAGE CLOSET,TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
  13. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF,HAS A 1/4 INCH GAP IN CENTER OF DOOR AND AT BOTTOM OF DOOR,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DOOR,TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY,SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 22. DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES,TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER,WHEN SINK IS SET UP FOR WASH,RINSE,AND SANITIZE,SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • OBSERVED FECES ON BOTTOM OF TOILET BOWL INSIDE THE WOMENS WASHROOM(CUSTOMERS),INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE TOILET BOWL. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CLUTTER FROM THE REAR STORAGE CLOSET,TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE
  14. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF CABINETS,SHELVES NEED CLEANING ,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOOORS BEHIND SHELF IN THE PREP AREA,ALONG WALL BASE AND CORNERS
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DUST ON LIGHT COVERS IN THE PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA
  15. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • FOUND THE REFRIGERATION UNIT ON PREMISES USED FOR STORING COLD FOOD ITEMS AT AN IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 68.0F. INSTRUCTED THAT UNIT MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW. UNIT WAS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED AND REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPT OF HEALTH. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A). MANAGER ON DUTY STORES THE COLD FOOD ITEMS DELIVERED AT 10:30 DAILY IN THE REFRIGERATOR FREEZER WHICH IS HOLDING AT 27.1F. THE COLD SERVING LINE IS HOLDING AT 19.7F AT THIS TIME. ALL FOOD IS SERVED AT 12:00 NOON DAILY.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DUST ON THE CEILING VENTS IN THE WASHROOMS; CLEAN VENTS TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
  16. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD DOES NOT MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIOEMENT DURING STORAGE (HAM AND TURKEY COLD CUTS , COLE SLAW, AND 80Z JUICE AT 57F). 60 BOX LUNCES AT APPROX 10LBS@ $3.05 BOX ($1800.00) OPERATER DISCARDED TEMPERATURE ABUSED FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(b) NO CITATION ISSUE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CEILING VENTS HAVE BUILD UP OF DUST THUR-OUT PREMISES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN.
  17. Canvass

    0 infractions

  18. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WATER STAINED CEILING TILE ABOVE THE REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN.MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REMOVE DUSTS ACCUMULATIONS ON THE VENTILATION COVERS IN THE KITCHEN AND SENIOR DINING ROOM AREAS.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • THERMOMETER NOT PROVIDED INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR AT ALL TIMES.
  19. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. NOTED HOLES ON WALLS IN BOTH MEN AND WOMENS WASHROOMS, REPAIR SAME.
  20. Canvass

    0 infractions

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