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CHOCOLATE CITY

2015 W GRAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60612 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CHOCOLATE CITY has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 28, 2019. The most recent inspection, on November 10, 2025, recorded 12 infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, 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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 10, 2025. For example: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

  • 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 November 10, 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 November 10, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 November 10, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 10, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES' HEALTH POLICIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 6. PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE DRINIKING FROM A COFFEE CUP WITHOUT A LID MUST PROVIDE COVER.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES).
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF BOTH FRONT ENTRY DOOR AND REAR MAN DOOR ALONG THE BOTTOM AND SIDE MUST MAKE A TIGHT FITTING.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS AND BEARD GUARDS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED LIQUID DISH WASHING DISPENSING HOSES AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK TO LONG MUST MAKE SHORTER.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR TRIM OF WALK IN COOLER.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM SERVICE COUNTER SHELVING UNITS,PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT,WALK IN COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS,INTERIOR PANEL & EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING IN REAR STORAGE AREA,LOOSE WALL BASE IN PREP AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (MILK, EMPANADAS) ARE HEATED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (MILK, EMPANADAS) ARE HEATED AND SERVED. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MANAGER APPEARED AT 9:15AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AREAS REACHING TEMPERATURE OF 88.7F AND 90.4F, 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TEMPERATURE OF 94.0F AND WASHROOM HANDWASHING SINK AT 93.0F. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST MAINTAIN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F. PRIORITY. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • VIOLATION CORRECTED. EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES PROVIDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RAW BRICK WALLS THRU FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS UNFINISHED.INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
  5. License

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP( DISHWASHING/COFFEE BREWING AREA). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINK WITH HAND CLEANSER AND HAND DRYING PROVISIONS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RAW BRICK WALLS THRU FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS UNFINISHED.INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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