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CHICAGO OYSTER HOUSE

1933 S INDIANA AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60616 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CHICAGO OYSTER HOUSE has been inspected 24 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 20, 2013. The most recent inspection, on June 10, 2025, found no infractions.

10 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Protecting food from contamination and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 June 7, 2021. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 7, 2021. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 May 16, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 once on March 1, 2024. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 13 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on March 8, 2024. For example: UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

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

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • 4-904.11: OBSERVED TABLEWARE (FORKS AND PLATES) NOT INVERTED STORED IN THE CABINET UNDER THE SERVER STATION NEAR THE LIQUOR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL MENTIONED ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11: OBSERVED THE BOTTOM OF THE WALL BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED TILES ALONG THE ENTIRE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID TILES TO SEAL OPENINGS AND TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  4. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BLACK LIKE SUBSTANCE BUILD UP ON THE INTERIOR PANEL ABOVE THE ICE ON THE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MUST REMOVE BUILD UP, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED TABLEWARE (FORKS AND PLATES) NOT INVERTED STORED IN THE CABINET UNDER THE SERVER STATION NEAR THE LIQUOR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL MENTIONED ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE BOTTOM OF THE WALL BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH DAMAGED TILES ALONG THE ENTIRE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID TILES TO SEAL OPENINGS AND TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE FAUCET AT THE ONE COMP SINK IN THE KITCHEN LEAKING AT THE BASE; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. (A NEW FAUCET WAS PURCHASED AND PLUMBER IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE SOON).
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • LIGHTS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF SHEILDS. SHEILDS IN POOR REPAIR. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  10. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 6-301.14 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SIGNS ARE NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND BY THE SUSHI BAR AND BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE WITH FOOTNOTE ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED OR RAW (BEEF, OYSTERS, SUSHI) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE WITH FOOT NOTE FOR THESE ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  11. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE ON PREMISES HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE ON A GIVEN DAY OR SHIFT ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • FOUND SOME READY TO EAT TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE MARKED; MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE DATE MARKED WITH THE DAY THAT THE FOOD WILL BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NEWLY PRINTED MENUS WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY OR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. GAVE THE PERSON IN CHARGE A CONSUMER ADVISORY INFO SHEET. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • NO LAB LETTER ON PREMISES VERIFYING THE PH AND WATER ACTIVITY LEVEL OF THE SUSHI RICE; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LETTER MUST BE PROVIDED BY AN APPROVED LABORATORY VERIFYING THAT THEIR SUSHI RICE HAS BEEN TESTED AND THAT IT MUST BE UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  13. Canvass

    0 infractions

  14. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • AIR VENTS IN DINING ROOM IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
  15. Canvass

    0 infractions

  16. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • TOILET IN WOMENS WASHROOM NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE IN KITCHEN.
  17. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  18. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • THE VENTS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN VENTS.
  19. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • NO LAB TESTING LETTER FOR SUSHI RICE PH ON SITE, INSTRUCTED MGR TO OBTAIN. FACILITY NOT OPERATING AT THIS TIME NO SUSHI RICE IS PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • DRAIN LINE FROM SUSHI COOLER IS IN CONTACT WITH CUTTING BOARD AT SUSHI STATION, INSTRUCTED TO REAMOVE.
  20. Canvass

    0 infractions

  21. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • ONE LIGHT BULB OUT UNDER THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN; REPLACE BLOWN BULB IN THE MIDDLE.
  22. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED LOOSE RUBBER GASKETS AT THE DOORS OF THE TWO DOOR COOLER; REPLACE GASKETS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE IN CENTER OF KITCHEN FLOOR WHERE NEEDED.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPLACE MISSING WALL COVING ALONG WALLBASE BEHIND THE GREASE RECEPTOR IN THE KITCHEN AT THE THREE COMP SINK. VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN VENTS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED TWO SETS OF LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN WITHOUT SHIELDS; PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS FOR THE LIGHTS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE HOT WATER FAUCET AT THE THREE COMP SINK LEAKING AND A LEAK FROM THE CENTER OF THE PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMP SINK; REPAIR. BOTH GREASE RECEPTORS IN KITCHEN ATTACHED TO THE SINKS NEED TO BE CLEANED AND PAINTED; CLEAN AND PAINT BOTH GREASE RECEPTORS.
  23. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • NEW CUTTING BOARDS NEEDED AT SUSHI COUNTER. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: COOKING EQUIPMENT, REACH IN COOLER, PREP SINKS AND HAND SINKS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS THROUGH OUT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING THROUGH OUT. UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. FLOOR TILES IN NEED OF REPLACING WHERE MISSING. COVING IN NEED OF REPLCING UNDER BAR AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS AND CEILING IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT IN NEED OF SHIELDING IN PREP AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • VENTILATION UNIT ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. THE FOLLOWING PLUMBING ISSUES IN NEED OF CORRECTING: LEAK AT P-TRAP AT HAND SINK, LEAK AT P-TRAP AND AT FAUCET 1 COMP SINK, LEAK AT FAUCET AT 3 COMP SINK. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 39. LINEN: CLEAN AND SOILED PROPERLY STORED
      • ALL CLEAN LINEN MUST BE ORGANIZED AND STORED AWAY FROM DIRTY LINEN. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  24. Canvass

    0 infractions

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