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CHICAGO LUNCHBOX

2300 S THROOP ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Mobile Food Preparer

Inspection summary

CHICAGO LUNCHBOX has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 25, 2017. The most recent inspection, on April 22, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2023. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 April 22, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 14, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 July 14, 2021. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

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.

10 inspections

  1. License

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER MISSING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO SCREEN FOR THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. License

    1 infraction

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER MISSING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(B) OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARD STAINED WITH DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED MINOR DARK GROOVES ON THE CUTTING BOARD ATTACHED TO THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DARK GROOVES OR REPLACE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 OBSERVED FOUR SMALL HOLES ON THE REAR EXIT DOORS, AND THE FAN VENT SCREEN IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES AND MAINTAIN REAR DOORS AND REPLACE SCREEN FOR FAN VENT SO THAT SAID AREAS ARE RODENT/INSECT PROOFED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE FRYER WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  5. License

    4 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED MINOR DARK GROOVES ON THE CUTTING BOARD ATTACHED TO THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DARK GROOVES OR REPLACE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 OBSERVED FOUR SMALL HOLES ON THE REAR EXIT DOORS, AND THE FAN VENT SCREEN IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES AND MAINTAIN REAR DOORS AND REPLACE SCREEN FOR FAN VENT SO THAT SAID AREAS ARE RODENT/INSECT PROOFED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE FRYER WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • 5-402.13 OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT DRAINING PROPERLY. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED FROM ONE COMPARTMENT, THE SEWAGE WATER IS BACKING UP INTO ANOTHER COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN GREASE TRAP AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND NEVER ALLOW SEWAGE WATER TO BACK UP INTO OTHER COMPARTMENTS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • UPPER AREA OF COLD HOLDING UNIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE(52.7F). COLD HOLDING SHALL BE AT 41F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 70-38-005
  8. License

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED MINOR ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  9. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING RE-USED AS A FLOOR LINER. INSTRUCTED TO NOT RE-USED CARDBOARD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS INSIDE OF THE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  10. License

    0 infractions

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