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CLEO'S SOUTHERN CUISINE

4248 S COTTAGE GROVE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60653 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CLEO'S SOUTHERN CUISINE has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 19, 2019. The most recent inspection, on March 21, 2025, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 8 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 21, 2025. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 29, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 21, 2025. 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 once on January 24, 2020. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 once on March 19, 2019. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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

    5 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE DRY STORAGE SHELVING AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE BULK STORAGE CONTAINER TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNER BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED THE HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT DIRTY. MUST CLEAN TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION (#58 : ALLERGEN TRAINING) NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2590388 DATE 3/1/24. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED THE PIC/ CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS, AND INSIDE THE RIF DEFROST AND CLEAN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE PIC/ CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HANDWASHING SIGN IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. CORRECTED ON SITE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • THE HOT WATER FAUCET KNOB AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA IS IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR KNOB.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED (3 COMP SINK AND FURNACE CLOSET).
  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SUSHI, RICE, ETC.) ARE BEING PREPPED. INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED. MUST PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AT TIME OUT MARKET.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS.
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK IN BASEMENT; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT UTILITY SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MOP SINK IN THE BASEMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTS IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • FOUND TCS FOODS AND READY TO EAT FOODS STORED IN COOLERS AND NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN PREPARED AND/OR REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR TAKING INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOUND FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND A LEAK AT THE PIPE UNDER THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK (CLOSEST TO THE WALL). INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN THE LEAK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • FOUND NO TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TRASH RECEPTACLE WITH A LID/COVER. MAINTAIN SAME.
  7. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
  8. License

    10 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • MUST HAVE COLD/HOT HOLDING UNITS OPERATIONAL FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA MUST BE SECURE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM PUBLIC, MUST PROVIDE LOCK AT DOOR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR LEAK AT 3-COMP SINK FAUCET(SPRAYER).
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • PREMISES MUST PROVIDE COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(b).
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED.

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