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EUROPEAN CHALET

5445 S HARLEM AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EUROPEAN CHALET has been inspected 19 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 23, 2010. The most recent inspection, on August 13, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

5 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 18, 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 6, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 May 18, 2023. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 19 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on May 18, 2023. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

  • 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 6 separate inspections, most recently on August 13, 2026. 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.

19 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CABINET FOR HANDSINK IN STAFF RESTROOM IN BASEMENT IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPLACE/REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH RESIDUE. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • RECENTLY PURCHASED VACUUM PACKING AND SOUS VIDE EQUIPMENT ON SITE, NOT BEING USED AT THIS TIME. EQUIPMENT TAGGED AND INSTD NOT TO USE UNTIL REQUIRED DCOUMENTATION/PROCEDURE PROVIDED TO CDPH AND APPROVED. PRIOTIY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 32. VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS
      • SEE 29
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ON SITE
  5. Canvass

    0 infractions

  6. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE DOWNSTAIRS DISHWASHING AREA AND IN THE UPSTAIRS BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED CONTAINER OF RAW MEAT STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE SIX INCHES OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSEVRED SINGLE SERVICE THANK YOU BAGS BEING REUSED TO STORE RAW PORK IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR REPLACE BAGS WITH PROPER FOOD STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUST DEPOSITS ON SHELVING UNITS IN LIQUOR WALK-IN COOLER AND CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL RUST DEPOSITS AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINKS IN TOILET ROOMS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • HANDWASH AIDS AND DEVICES (SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER) LOCATED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE FROM 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MISSING PREP/DUMP SINK AT 1ST FLOOR BAR AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME UNDER CITY PRESSURE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF LIQUID WASTE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • UNFINISHED BRICK WALLS IN 1ST FLOOR TOILET ROOMS . INSTD TO SEAL SAME SO AS SURFACE TO BE NON ABSORBENT, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  9. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MISSING EFFECTIVE DISINFECTANT AGAINST NOROROVIRUS FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO IRRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR (TEST STRIPS FOR MEASURING UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE). In hot water mechanical WAREWASHING operations, an irreversible registering temperature indicator shall be provided and readily accessible for measuring the UTENSIL surface temperature. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
  10. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH RUSTY SURFACES. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • AIR CONDITIONER DRAIN LINE IMPROPERLY DRAINING INTO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROPERLY ROUTE DRAIN LINE.
  12. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE BROKEN LIGHT SHEILD IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • DRAIN LINE NEEDED AT BAR GUNS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  13. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED BASEMENT RESTROOM LIGHT SHIELDS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  14. Canvass

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND BEVERAGE LINES IN THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BAR AREA TOUCHING THE CONSUMABLE ICE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BARRIER TO SEPARATE LINES FROM ICE OR REROUTE LINES.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND ICE BINS WITHOUT COVERS IN THE BAR AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERS TO ALL THE ICE BINS WHERE THE ICE IS FOR CONSUMPTION IN THE BAR AREAS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FOUND THE CAN OPENER, THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND THE BAR GUNS IN THE BAR AREA NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FOUND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FOUND BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCES ON THE WALLS ABOVE AND UNDER THE DISH WASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND LEAKS AT THE FOLLOWING SINKS: AT THE BASE OF THE 1-COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE LEFT FAUCET ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN FAUCETS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND NO EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT THE BARS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER AND SOAP/HAND DRYING DEVICES PER CITY CODE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • FOUND MOP IN THE PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP WHEN NOT IN USE.
  16. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS SURROUNDING DISHMACHINE AREA WITH WORN SURFACES. INSTD TO CLEAN AND PAINT SAME.
  17. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • BAR GUNS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS UBNDER BAR IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAK AT FAUCET ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  18. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • LIGHTSHIELDS THRU-OUT NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • EMPLOYEE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY.
  19. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE DISHMACHINE. REPLACE SAME.

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