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DAMEN FUEL

7050 S DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636 · GROCERY STORE/GAS STATION

Inspection summary

DAMEN FUEL has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 26, 2023. The most recent inspection, on September 26, 2025, recorded 6 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 26, 2025. 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 26, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 26, 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 14 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 26, 2025. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • 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 3 times on December 20, 2024. For example: SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

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.

4 inspections

  1. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO POST HANDWASH SIGNAGE FOR ALL HANDSINKS AND MAINTAIN. CORRECTED ON SITE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES SEEN UNDER EQUIPMENT AS DESCRIBED IN COMPLAINT.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER BLADE AT THE PREP TABLE IN NEED OF CLEANING; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED AND INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLS, DIRT AND STICKINESS. ALSO CLEAN FLOORS IN CORNER AREA OF STORE BY THE ICE COOLER TO REMOVE ITEMS ON FLOOR AND DEBRIS. OBSERVED DUST ON SOME CEILING TILE AND CEILING VENTS; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WHERE NEEDED AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND SOME MISSING CEILING TILE; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TILE WHERE NEEDED. FOUND SOME WATER STAINED CEILING TILE; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TILE WHERE NEEDED.
  2. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED REAR PREP AREA HAND SINK IN DISHWASHING/PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED SEVERAL CASES OF WATER STORED IN FRONT OF SAID SINK AND BOTTLES INSIDE OF HAND SINK BASIN.ARTICLES WERE REMOVED DURING INSPECTION AND MUST KEEP ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND SINKS IN BOTH PREP/DISH WASHING AREAS; SOAP WAS PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION AND MUST BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND SINKS IN BOTH PREP/DISH WASHING AREAS. PAPER TOWELS WERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION AND MUST BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER.MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE AT COFFEE STATION.MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER,REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA AND SALES FLOOR.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PREP & DELI COOLERS,WALK IN COOLER-FAN GUARD COVERS,SHELVING UNITS AND REACH IN FREEZER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA,SERVICE COUNTER,WALK IN COOLER,STAINED CEILING TILES ON SALES FLOOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER,SALES FLOOR UNDER DISPLAY SHELVES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM FOR WET MOPS TO DRY.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS IN WALK IN COOLER.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL DISPLAY SHELVING AND INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 6-501.11 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED HOLES AND OPENINGS IN TO THE WALLS AND WALL BASE, CEILING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS. Violation Codes: 6-201.17 OBERVED THE WALLS IN THE WASHROOM DIRTY AND CEILING VENT COVERS THROUGH OUT NEED CLEANING. Violation Codes: 6-201.16 Inspector Comments: NOTED A FEW DAMAGED AND MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGH OUT PREMISES. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. Violation Codes: 6-501.12 Inspector Comments: FLOORS NEED DETAIL CLEANING THROUGH OUT ESPECIALLY WHERE DROPPINGS WERE NOTED.
  4. License

    9 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • PREMISES HAS NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO A VOMITING AND/OR DIARRHEA EVENTS AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED MICE DROPPINGS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR, INSIDE THE MOTOR HOUSE OF THE REACH IN COOLER AND IN THE FURNACE ROOM. MUST REMOVE AND DETAIL CLEAN ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(A).
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL DISPLAY SHELVING AND INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • PREMISES HAS NO DUMPSTER OR PROOF OF SERVICE AS REQUIRED. MUST COMPLY AND MAINTAIN. PROIRITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HOLES AND OPENINGS IN TO THE WALLS AND WALL BASE, CEILING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PESTS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBERVED THE WALLS IN THE WASHROOM DIRTY AND CEILING VENT COVERS THROUGH OUT NEED CLEANING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED A FEW DAMAGED AND MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGH OUT PREMISES. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED DETAIL CLEANING THROUGH OUT ESPECIALLY WHERE DROPPINGS WERE NOTED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN EITHER SHATTER PROOF BULBS OR LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGH OUT.

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