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CHEN'S CHINESE RESTAURANT

2558 S SPRINGFIELD AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CHEN'S CHINESE RESTAURANT has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 13, 2010. The most recent inspection, on March 16, 2015, found no infractions.

1 of 8 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: Food source, labelling and allergens, Pests and Food temperature control.

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 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 16, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 June 16, 2011. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 June 16, 2011. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 January 13, 2010. For example: HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

  • 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 17 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on February 11, 2015. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: EXTERIOR SURFACES AROUND COOKING WOKS, CLEAN SHELVES INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER, CLEAN FAN COVERS INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED AND CLEAN VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOORS IN CORNER AREAS OF KITCHEN UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT, SINK AND SHELVES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO VENTILATION FAN OR WINDOW INSIDE OF WASHROOM TO ABSORB ODORS; MUST INSTALL A VENTILATION FAN INSIDE OF WASHROOM.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • SOME UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN CORNER AREA BY THE THREE COMP SINK AND REAR OF KITCHEN IN STORAGE; REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • PIPE LEAKING UNDER EXPOSED HANDSINK. REPAIR SAME.
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • THE CLEAVER IS KEPT BETWEEN THE COOLERS WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO CLEAN, STORE YOUR CLEAVER WHERE IT IS EASY TO CLEAN.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE CUTTING BOARDS ARE DMAAGED AND UNSANITARY, THROW AWAY AND REPLACE THE UNSANITARY CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • THE WALK IN COOLER WALLS ARE LOOSE AND DIRTY WITH BUILDUP AT THE TOP AND SEAMS IN THE CEILING; CLEAN, SANITIZE AND RESEAL SAID AREAS.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • STORE THE WIPING CLOTH IN SANITIZING SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USE.
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACE OF FRYER AND MAINTAIN. CLEAN SHELVES INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. CLEAN FLOORS IN CORNERS UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • ONE BULB IN WASHROOM NEEDS REPLACING; PROVIDE A NEW BULB FOR ADEQUATE LIGHT IN WASHROOM.
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Inspector Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST REMOVE FOIL FROM PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN GLASS ON PREP ENTRY DOOR.
  7. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MORE THAN 30 RODENT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR BEHIND PREP TABLE,GREASE TRAP AT WOK STATION,REAR STORAGE AREA,IN FRONT OF 1- COMP SINK,WINDOW SILLS NEXT TO WALK IN COOLER.ALSO NO MAP,MSD SHEETS INSIDE OF LOG BOOK.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,CLEAN & SANITIZE AREAS.PROVIDE MAP & MSD SHEETS ON OR AFTER 6/16/11.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABEL & DATE COOKED FOODS IN WALK IN COOLER,BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST REMOVE FOIL FROM PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN GLASS ON PREP ENTRY DOOR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM WOK STATION,FAUCETS AT WOK STATION,PREP COOLER,UNUSED DEEP FRYER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.MUST CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALLBASES.
    • 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.MUST SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES LEADING INTO WALLS & CEILINGS.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.CHEST FREEZER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST ELEVATE FOOD PRODUCTS OFF OF FLOOR.
  8. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES; FOOD HANDLER PERFORMING MULTI TASK AND NOT WASHING HIS HANDS, {CLEANING PREP TABLES, REMOVING SOILED UTENSILS} ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WASHED HIS HANDS INSIDE THE 3PART SINK. INSTRUCTED HANDS MUST BE WASHED INSIDE EXPOSED SINK WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010{A} CRITICAL.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST LABEL PREP FOODS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST REPLACE BROKEN GASKETS ON PREP REACH IN COOLER DOORS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE; BOTTOM PANELS OF PREP TABLES, AND FRYER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE ROOM UNDER SHELVING UNITS.

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