Skip to content
Loading map…

CHINESE KITCHEN MEI INC.

3539 N CICERO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CHINESE KITCHEN MEI INC. has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 3, 2022. The most recent inspection, on September 23, 2025, found no infractions.

3 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 19, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 19, 2025. For example: FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

  • 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 once on September 19, 2025. 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 once on September 19, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 19, 2025. For example: HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

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. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 15. FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED
      • OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR 6 INCHES.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 RODENT DROPPINGS IN CABINET AND ON FLOOR OF EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS USED TO STORE FOOD IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE AND USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED PREP TABLE MOUNTED CAN OPENER CRACKED AND COVERED IN RUST AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD AND EGG CRATES USED AS SHELF LINERS AND STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD/EGG CRATES AND MAINTAIN ONLY SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY. NOTED ALL SINKS IN FACILITY MAINTAINING IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 75.7F AND 78.0F. MANAGEMENT STATES HOT WATER HEATER BROKE LAST NIGHT. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • PLUMBING UNDER 2 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PLUMBING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE, GRIME, AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND COOK LINE AND HEAVY BUILD UP OF DUST AND GRIME ON WALL NEAR REAR HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR CORNER NEAR WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN ONLY NECESSARY ITEMS ON SITE. KEEP AREAS ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED POTS OF FOOD BEING STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH STORAGE SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED SOILED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON ON MULTIPLE PREP SURFACE AREAS IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD AND MAINTAIN
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS LINER ON MULTIPLE PREP SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUSTED STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.11 OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER AND STAINLESS STEEL SHELVES ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2561821 ON 8/8/22 NOT CORRECTED: 53 - OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN. 57 - OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN. 58 - OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT HOLDS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE HAS COMPLETED AND RECEIVED ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  7. License

    3 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT HOLDS A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE HAS COMPLETED AND RECEIVED ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE.
  8. License

    0 infractions

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website