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CREATIVE THINKERS LLC ALL MEAL, PREP

1100 W BRYN MAWR AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60660 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CREATIVE THINKERS LLC ALL MEAL, PREP has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 27, 2023. The most recent inspection, on December 16, 2025, found no infractions.

4 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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

  • 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 10, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2024. 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 September 3, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 3, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED AN OPEN 1/2 INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD OF THE REAR KITCHEN EXIT DOOR TO THE OUTDOORS. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • : 3-307.11--- MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE SANITIZED DRYING RACK OF THE DISHWASHING AREA FOUR COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE HAND WASHING SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • -201.11--- MISSING WALL TILE AT THE COOKS LINE.----MISSING CEILING TILE IN THE FAR REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REPLACE ALL. 6-501.114---- ALL UNUSED STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, IN ALL STORAGE AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • : 6-202.11--- MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    13 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MUST REMOVE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AND PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER FROM THE FRONT COFFEE PREP AREA ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDERCOOKED SUCH AS EGGS AND BURGERS. MUST DISCLOSE AND REMIND CUSTOMERS OF SUCH FOOD ON BOTH THE PRINTED AND VIRTUAL MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 4 LBS NEW YORK STRIP STEAKS REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGED ON SITE WITH A PREP DATE OF 8-16-24 INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AT 40.1F. FROM THAT DATE HELD LONGER THAN 48 HOURS. NO APPROVED SPECIALIZED FOOD PROCESS APPROVAL ON SITE. STEAKS DISCARDED AND DENATURED. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL APPROVED BY C.D.P.H. FOR USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 32. VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS
      • NO WRITTEN VARIANCE APPROVAL ON SITE FOR THE REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING PERFORMED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #29 FOR CITATION.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN OPEN 1/2 INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD OF THE REAR KITCHEN EXIT DOOR TO THE OUTDOORS. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE SANITIZED DRYING RACK OF THE DISHWASHING AREA FOUR COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE HAND WASHING SINK.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST PROVIDE LIDS FOR ALL ICE BINS IN THE COFFEE PREP AND BAR.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • NOTED BOTH OUTSIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES OVERFLOWING WITH FOOD DEBRIS GARBAGE AND OUTSIDE GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH SPILLED GREASE ON TOP OF THE CONTAINER AND DRIPPING DOWN THE SIDES TO THE GROUND. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL OVERFLOWING GARBAGE, GREASE AND CLEAN ALL SURROUNDING GROUNDS OF THE AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNUSED STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, IN ALL STORAGE AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MISSING WALL TILE AT THE COOKS LINE.----MISSING CEILING TILE IN THE FAR REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REPLACE ALL.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 12-27-23 REPORT #2587430 #58- NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  6. License

    0 infractions

  7. License

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED BLOWN-OUT LIGHT BULBS INSIDE THE HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS AND PROVIDE WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

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