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GUSSIE'S HANDMADE ITALIAN

227 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60610 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

GUSSIE'S HANDMADE ITALIAN has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 24, 2018. The most recent inspection, on May 13, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

9 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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.

  • 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 May 13, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 20, 2023. 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 May 15, 2025. For example: REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

  • 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 April 20, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on May 15, 2025. For example: IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SPLASH GUARD NEEDED AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA AT THE ESPRESSO MACHINE AS IT HOLDS SMALL SERVICE DISHES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF SERVICE DISHES.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
      • NOTED SHELLFISH (MUSSELS AND CLAMS)IN A CONTAINER INSIDE THE SERVICE PREP COOLER WITH NO IDENTIFICATION TAGS AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ALWAYS HAVE TAGS ATTACHED TO THE EACH BATCH UNTIL THE LAST PRODUCT IS USED AND THEN THE TAG MUST BE STORED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 90 DAYS IN A FOLDER. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 20 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $70.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA AND GLASSES AT THE DINING AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES AND DRINKING GLASSES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED MECHANICAL STOPPERS AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIRS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    0 infractions

  6. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • A SIGN OR POSTER THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS IS NOT PROVIDED AT BAR HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. PROVIDE A CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGN AT EACH HAND SINK.
    • 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
      • THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD IS NOT RECORDED ON ALL SHELLSTOCK TAGS THAT WERE PROVIDED ON SITE. THE FACILITY MUST RECORD THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD. FACILITY MANAGER WENT THROUGH ALL INVOICE RECEIPTS IN HOUSE TO VERIFY WHEN LAST SHELLSTOCK ITEMS WERE SOLD PER TAG. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • DRY STORAGE SEASONING CONTAINERS IN KITCHEN AND DRY STORAGE CLOSET DOES NOT HAVE A LABEL. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • LINENS ARE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH SALAD IN PREP-LINE COOLER DRAWER. LINENS MAY NOT BE USED IN CONTACT WITH FOODS.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • CLEAN DISHWARE STORED ON SHELVES HAVE NOT BEEN AIR DRIED PROPERLY AFTER SANITIZING. AFTER CLEANING AND SANITZING ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS SHALL BE AIR DRIED BEFORE USE. CLOTH DRYING OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IS NOT APPROVED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • PRODUCE/MILK CRATES USED AS DISHWARE STORAGE. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH CONTAINERS THAT IS SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, DURABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT.
  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON 2 DOOR PREP COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  10. Canvass

    0 infractions

  11. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  13. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED BURGERS, HAMACHI TIRADITO, HAND CUT STEAK TARTARE STEAK ON MENU. ALL ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED OR RAW. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE, FOOTNOTE AND REMINDER FOR MENU ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOR IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL ON PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 40 LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON WALLS BEHIND FRONT BAR AREA AND WALL BEHIND HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE FLYING INSECT PROBLEM. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZED AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).CITATION ISSUED.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKY FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN CUSTOMERS WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  14. Canvass

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010.NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE OR CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOODS (CLAM CHOWDER) HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITH OUT DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED BURGERS, HAMACHI TIRADITO, HAND CUT STEAK TARTARE STEAK ON MENU. ALL ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED OR RAW. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE, FOOTNOTE AND REMINDER FOR MENU ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK SPICE CONTAINERS WITH OUT LABELS . INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
  16. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Observed no splash guard on both exposed hand sinks at front bar. Also observed no splash guard on right side of exposed hand sink in rear prep area. Instructed manager to install to prevent possible contamination. Maintain at all times.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Observed dust build up on ice machine in rear prep area. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain at all times.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Observed door sweep on west exterior exit door, slightly skewed. Also observed rear door leading to common hallway, slightly skewed as well. Both doors are considered rodent proof. Instructed manager to adjust door sweep for further precautions/preventive maintenance. Maintain at all times.

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