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FREE HOT MEALS

4100 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60624 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

FREE HOT MEALS has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 15, 2021. The most recent inspection, on June 22, 2023, found no infractions.

3 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2021. 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 once on January 20, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 once on January 20, 2021. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 once on January 20, 2021. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2021. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. License Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Violation Codes: 6-202.15 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED AN APPX."1-2" GAP IN CENTER OF DOUBLE ENTRY DOORS.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Violation Codes: 4-501.11 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN CHEST FREEZER GASKET.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Violation Codes: 4-501.12 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN PITTED CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • Violation Codes: 5-501.17 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 6-201.13 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED AND MISSING CEILING TILES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License

    17 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED NO HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT FOR HOLDING HOT FOODS AND TRANSPORTATION AT 135.0F.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPX."1-2" GAP IN CENTER AND ALONG BOTTOM OF DOUBLE ENTRY DOORS.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 30 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE IN FURNACE ROOM. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS.CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREA.MUST HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 1/20/2021.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C)(NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ALL DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN PITTED CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN CHEST FREEZER GASKET.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP IN FRYER CABINETS,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,PREP COOLER.MUST DEFROST ICE CREAM FREEZER.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY STOPPER HANDLE AT MIDDLE SINK AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A GARBAGE CAN WITH LID IN UNISEX TOILET ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN HOT WATER TANK AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER,BEHIND GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMP SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE AND MISSING WALL BASES,STAINED AND MISSING CEILING TILES,HOLE IN LOWER WALL NEAR 2- DOOR REACH IN FREEZER AND IN LOBBY AREA,GAPS IN LOWER WALL BASES IN LOBBY.MUST SEAL CRACKS ,HOLES AND UNEVEN FLOOR IN LOBBY,PREP AREA AND WHERE NEEDED.MUST GROUT FLOOR NEAR COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER AND MAINTAIN.
  5. License

    0 infractions

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