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ELLA ELLI

1347-1353 W CORNELIA AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60657 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ELLA ELLI has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 7, 2017. The most recent inspection, on November 18, 2025, recorded 4 infractions.

1 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Protecting food from contamination.

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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 2025. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 24, 2019. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 17, 2023. For example: REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

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.

14 inspections

  1. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN BOTH WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE A HAND WASHING SIGNS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE BIN ON FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS AND BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND BEHIND A DOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED TWO LIGHT BULBS NOT FUNCTIONAL IN EXHAUST HOOD ABOVE MAIN COOKING AREA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE LIGHT BULBS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
  3. Short Form Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS, OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE BAR GUN HOLDERS, FOOD BUILD UP ON LOWER SIDE 1ST FLOOR DISHMACHINE DRAINBOARD SHELVES AND FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE 1ST FLOOR PREP ARE REACH IN COOLERS. MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/FOOD SPILLS ON BAR FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN BAR FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS, OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE BAR GUN HOLDERS, FOOD BUILD UP ON LOWER SIDE 1ST FLOOR DISHMACHINE DRAINBOARD SHELVES AND FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE 1ST FLOOR PREP ARE REACH IN COOLERS. MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/FOOD SPILLS ON BAR FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN BAR FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
      • NO SHELL FISH TAG WAS PROVIDED FOR 3LB OF FRESH MUSSELS STORED IN ICE INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. WE OBSERVED MISSING MUSSELS FROM SAID BAG. SHELLFISH TAG MUST BE MAINTAIN WITH PRODUCT AND MUST DATE WHEN THE LAST MUSSEL IS CONSUMED ON THE SAID TAG.INSTRUCTED ALL SHELLFISH TAGS MUST BE RETAINED FOR A MINIMUM OF 90 DAYS. DISCARDED AND DENATURED MUSSELS.POUND 3, VALUE 18. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ICE BUILD-UP AT CONDENSER UNIT INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER IN BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE PROVIDED AT ESPRESSO COFFEE MACHINE WATER LINE,AT BAR AREA. MUST INSTALL SO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN, OR TO KNOW THE LOCATION IF A MAIN BACKFLOW PRTEVENTION DEVICE IS INSTALLED ON SITE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER ON FLOOR UNDER THE ICE BIN AND HANDWASHING SINK AT BAR AREA,REPAIR ISSUE.KEEP FLOOR DRY
  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA, BAR, AND DINING AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES AT THE KITCHEN, BAR, AND DINING TABLES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE PREP SERVICE COOLER AT THE KITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • NOTED MILK FILMY WATER INSIDE THE STEAMER AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DRAIN, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND SLIME INSIDE THE FLOOR DRAINS AT THE BASEMENT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    14 infractions

    • 8. HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
      • OBSERVED THE EMPLOYEE HANDLING DIRTY DISHES WITH HIS BARE HANDS, LOADING THE DISH MACHINE, THEN HANDLING AND STORING THE CLEAN DISHES WITHOUT WASHING HANDS IN BETWEEN TASKS SEVERAL TIMES DURING OBSERVATION. REVIEWED PROPER HANDWASHING AND GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES OF WHEN TO WASH HANDS WITH THE MANAGER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS SUCH AS MEAT SAUCE, COOKED GRAINS, COOKED BEEF, SPINACH DIP, COOKED EGGS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLERS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION/USE BY DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. REVIEWED PROPER DATE LABELING. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MUST PROVIDE INTERNAL THERMOMETERS FOR ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS ON THE COOKS LINE WITHOUT EXTERNAL INDICATORS.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL COOKS LINE SPICE/FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • INSECT CONTROL DEVICES MUST NOT BE USED AT THE BASEMENT PREP TABLES. MUST BE INSTALLED AWAY FROM FOOD PREPARATION AREAS.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • NOTED FOOD HANDLERS, INCLUDING BARTENDERS, WITH LONG BEARDS, MUST WEAR BEARD RESTRAINTS.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • ICE SCOOP AT THE ICE MACHINE MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. NOT ON THE TOP OF THE MACHINE.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE CLOSET MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR AND ORGANIZED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE BASEMENT PREP TWO-DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • EXTREMELY LOW HOT WATER PRESSURE AT THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE GREATER HOT WATER PRESSURE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A WASTE RECEPTACLE AT THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED AN EXTREMELY DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE 1ST FLOOR DISHWASHING AREA THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK AND EXCESSIVE POOLING WATER UNDER THE SAME SINK. MUST CLEAN, REMOVE POOLING LIQUID AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE ABOVE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • OBSERVED THE SUMMARY REPORT FROM 8-12-20 NOT POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CUSTOMERS. SUMMARY FOUND POSTED IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO POST PROPERLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULTED DUST BUILD UP ON FAN COVERS INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON BASEMENT CEILING TILES ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST CLEAN CEILING TILES AND CEILING VENTILATION COVER.
  9. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
      • FOUND 20 EACH FRESH CLAMS STORED IN A CONTAINER INSIDE THE THREE DOOR PREP COOLER,NO IDENTIFICATION SHELL FISH TAG PROVIDED WITH PRODUCT AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE.INSTRUCTED MANAGER SHELL FISH TAG MUST REMAIN WITH PRODUCT UNTIL IS FINISHED,MUST KEEP SAID SHELL FISH TAG FOR 90 DAY, ON SITE. CHEF DISCARDED PRODUCT. POUNDS (20 EACH,VALUE 6 DOLLARS) PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED: CITATION ISSUED ON REPORT #2320386 (DBA: CROSBY'S KITCHEN).
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A TCS FOOD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD(EGGS,HAMBURGER ETC). MUST DISCLOSE AND REMIND SUCH ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
  10. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-012A. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEANUP PROCEDURE. PRORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • FOUND NO DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER STATEMENTS INSIDE MENU FOR RAW ITEMS BEING SERVED.(STEAK TARTARE).PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
  11. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-012A. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEANUP PROCEDURE. PRORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • FOUND NO DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER STATEMENTS INSIDE MENU FOR RAW ITEMS BEING SERVED.(STEAK TARTARE).PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT WATERLINES FOR ESPRESSO MACHINE AT BAR, 2 COFFEE MACHINES SERVING AREAS, AND SODA MACHINE AT LOWER LEVEL PREPARATION AREAS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.7-38-030C. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
  12. Canvass

    0 infractions

  13. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE SODA GUN INSTALLATION IS INCOMPLETE. MUST FINISH TUBING CONNECTIONS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ANY REMAINING AND UNNECESSARY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FROM PREMISES (THROUGHOUT DINING ROOM AND IN REAR HALLWAY IN BASEMENT).
  14. License

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING PREPARATION BECAUSE THERE IS NO SEPARATION BETWEEN THE COOK LINE AND THE SEPARATELY LICENSED FOOD ESTABLISHMENT NEXT DOOR. THE TWO FACILITIES ARE CURRENTLY CONNECTED BY AN OPEN, SHARED HALLWAY. MUST PROVIDE COMPLETE SEPARATION BETWEEN FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-38-005(A)
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE SODA GUN INSTALLATION IS INCOMPLETE. MUST FINISH TUBING CONNECTIONS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ANY REMAINING AND UNNECESSARY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FROM PREMISES (THROUGHOUT DINING ROOM AND IN REAR HALLWAY IN BASEMENT).

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