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HAPPY RICE

243 W CERMAK RD, CHICAGO, IL 60616 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HAPPY RICE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 20, 2024. The most recent inspection, on June 17, 2026, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

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.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 17, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 16, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 once on June 8, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 October 16, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 9 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 17, 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • CERTIFIED MANAGER HAS NO CERTIFICATE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. THE PERSON IN CHARGE HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED FOR FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE DEEP FRYER TO REMOVE GREASE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND NO PROTECTIVE SHEILDING ON ONE SET OF LIGHTS IN KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • CERTIFIED MANAGER HAS NO CERTIFICATE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. THE PERSON IN CHARGE HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED FOR FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF RODENTS ON PREMISES. FOUND 30 OR MORE RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND IN BASEMENT ON THE FLOOR BEHIND STORED ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE PRIOR TO REINSPECTION NEXT WEEK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED FOR CONTROL OF VERMIN AND INSECTS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHEMICAL TESTING DEVICES. FOUND NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER WHEN WASH RINSE AND SANITIZING. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 ISSUED FOR FOOD REQUIREMENTS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM AREA OF PREP TABLES, CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT (WOKS, REFRIGERATORS, STEAMER STATION, FRYER), CLEAN BOTTOM AREA OF FRYER AND INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS WHERE NEEDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, CLEAN FLOORS IN BASEMENT AREA AROUND AND BEHIND STORED ITEMS, CLEAN WALLS AND CEILING VENTS IN KITCHEN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND NO PROTECTIVE SHIELDING ON ONE SET OF LIGHTS IN KITCHEN; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN, BEEF, RICE,ETC) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HANDSINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE BASEMENT HAND-SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWELS FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). SEE ABOVE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR AT TOP OF STAIRS ON FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE COOLERS AND FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB AT VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License

    8 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE ICE MAHCINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT WITH NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE DEEP-FRYING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED THE FILTERS MISSING IN THE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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