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BEST INTENTIONS

3281 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BEST INTENTIONS has been inspected 24 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 20, 2010. The most recent inspection, on March 31, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

12 of 24 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food source, labelling and allergens and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 24, 2023. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 2, 2018. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 October 2, 2018. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 October 2, 2018. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 once on September 22, 2016. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

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.

24 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND CLUTTER AT FOOD STORAGE SHELVING UNITS.(TOOLS,ETC.)MUST REMOVE TOOLS FROM FOOD SHELVING UNITS.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BLACK DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE BOTH ICE MACHINES DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF BOTH ICE MACHINES AND MAINTAIN BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. ALL ICE INSIDE BOTH ICE MACHINES VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA REACH IN COOLER CONDENSER (UNDER GRILL). MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLES IN BOTH WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES.
  6. Complaint

    0 infractions

  7. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED THE UNISEX TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITHOUT COVER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSTHE CEILING LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  10. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • 3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS (SUCH AS POTATO SALAD) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DAY IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. FOOD MUST BE DATE MARKED AND DISCARDED AFTER 7 DAYS, WITH DAY OF PREPARATION COUNTED AS DAY 1. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT IN THE MENU. MUST DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 DETAIL CLEAN THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11 REPAIR THE DRYWALL BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PA 100-0367 OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
  11. Canvass

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED DIRT ON FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING AND NEXT TO MOP SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES ON REAR OF BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS 6INCHES OFF FLOOR/WALL ON BASEMENT AND MUST MAINTAIN.
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • : Found debris on lower interior of top oven. Instructed to remove, detail clean and sanitize. Must maintain. Found grease and dust build up on lower interior of fryers. Must remove, clean and sanitize. Must maintain.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CONDENSER DRAINPIPE ONTO 1ST COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA. MUST PROPERLY DRAIN INTO FLOOR DRAIN.----------MUST PROVIDE 3 WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
  14. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • Found the following potentially hazardous foods at improper temperatures in the 3 door cooler in the kitchen: 40lbs chicken thighs @50.7F ($140); 10lbs lamb shoulder @ 46.9F ($72.90); 4lbs of Trout @ 48.3F ($33); 6lbs hamburger beef @ 45.6F ($30); 5lbs of cooked cauliflower @ 50.1F ($15); 3oz of pork fritter @ 50.9F ($0.25); 2 dozen eggs @ 47.4F ($3.60); and 3lbs of sliced potatoes (French fries in water) @ 51.4F ($3). Operator discarded denatured foods during inspection. Must keep all cold potentially hazardous foods at 40F or less (and hot foods at 140F or higher) at all times. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Consumer advisory not posted in plain view. Operator posted during inspection.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Found debris on lower interior of top oven. Instructed to remove, detail clean and sanitize. Must maintain. Found grease and dust build up on lower interior of fryers. Must remove, clean and sanitize. Must maintain.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Found slow draining hand sink in kitchen area. Must repair and maintain.
  15. Canvass

    0 infractions

  16. Canvass

    0 infractions

  17. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD/DIVIDER BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT DRAIN BOARD IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST SEAL OPENING ON CEILING IN BASEMENT STORAGE (BY WALK-IN COOLER).
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT BULB MUST BE SHIELDED INSIDE 3 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA OR PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF LIGHT BULB.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CONDENSER DRAINPIPE ONTO 1ST COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA. MUST PROPERLY DRAIN INTO FLOOR DRAIN.----------MUST PROVIDE 3 WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
  18. Canvass

    0 infractions

  19. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE UPRIGHT FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE BASEMENT ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN THE WEATHER STRIPPING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  20. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food stored in coolers must be dated & labeled.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • All clean multi-use spoons,fork utensils must be stored with handles up.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Fan covers and shelvings at 2 door bar cooler,upper panel of ice machine,interior basins/faucet at the bar 3 comp sink require a detail cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors along walls and in all corners in basement in need for further cleaning.
  21. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE,MAINTAIN SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMP SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA,RUSTY SHELVINGS MUST BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED USING A NON-TOXIC FINISH ALSO ALUMINUM FOIL LINERS ON BOTTOM OF SHELVINGS MUST BE REMOVED.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • THE FOLLOWING REQUIRES A DETAIL CLEANING THE 3 DOOR BAR COOLER,BAR GUNS AND HOUSINGS ATTACHED,CUTTING BOARD BAR AREA,DEEP FRYERS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT BULBS IN KITCHEN MUST BE SHIELDED AND REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHTS INSIDE THE 3 DOOR COOLER IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR WATER LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE BENEATH THE 3 COMP SINK BAR AREA,REPAIR/REPLACE CLEAN MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN MENS TOILET ROOM.ALSO ELECTRIC OVENS IN KITCHEN MUST UNDER VENTILATION, WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS MORE THAN 7.5 KILOWATTS.
  22. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.Water leaking at base of faucet at 3 part sink in kitchen,and dust build-up on vents in toilet rooms.
  23. Canvass

    0 infractions

  24. Canvass

    0 infractions

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