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Lea French Street Food

70 E LAKE ST, CHICAGO, IL 60601 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Lea French Street Food has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 14, 2021. The most recent inspection, on May 21, 2026, recorded 8 infractions.

2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 May 21, 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2026. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 2 times on July 18, 2023. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE WITH COMMON NAME(SQUEEZE BOTTLES,SHAKERS.BULK,ETC)
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL BULK FOOD BAGS OF (FLOUR,ETC)ON STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF TOILET ROOM AND BOXES OF CHIPS STORED ON TOPSIDE OF GREASE TRAP IN REAR PREP AREA MUST REMOVE AND STORE IN A PROPER MANNER TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE PUBLIC AND CONTAMINANTS.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WEARING A VERY SOILED APRON MUST PROVIDE CLEAN APRONS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PREP TABLES,PREP COOLERS,WALK IN COOLER -SHELVING UNIT AND FAN GUARD COVERS,INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE,TOPSIDE OF STOVE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT 1- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR AND DRAINS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11(B-E): OBSERVED BLACK, PINK AND BEIGE MOLD ON SHIELD AND FRONT INTERIOR AREA NEAR DOOR OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DESTROY ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19: OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR ON WALL NEAR LOCKERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15: OBSERVED LEAKING FROM DRAIN PIPES OF SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAIN PIPES OF SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12: OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, DISH MACHINE, GREASE TRAP NEXT TO PREP TABLE AND UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS ON EASTSIDE WALL IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, DISH MACHINE, GREASE TRAP NEXT TO PREP TABLE AND UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS ON EASTSIDE WALL IN FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVERS AND FILTERS IN HOOD IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENT COVERS IN BOTH ALL GENDER WASHROOMS AND TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD IN FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13: EXPIRED PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING PROVIDED FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
  3. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BLACK, PINK AND BEIGE MOLD ON SHIELD AND FRONT INTERIOR AREA NEAR DOOR OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DESTROY ICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 100 SMALL FLIES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. OBSERVED SMALL FLY ACTIVITY IN AREAS SUCH AS REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA, UTILITY SINK, FRONT PREP AREA, ALL GENDER WASHROOMS AND ROOM WITH LARGE COFFEE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY IN FACILITY AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS, RECOMMENDED LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 9/2/2025. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR ON WALL NEAR LOCKERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FROM DRAIN PIPES OF SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAIN PIPES OF SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, DISH MACHINE, GREASE TRAP NEXT TO PREP TABLE AND UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS ON EASTSIDE WALL IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, DISH MACHINE, GREASE TRAP NEXT TO PREP TABLE AND UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS ON EASTSIDE WALL IN FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED COFFEE SPLASHED ON WALLS IN FRONT ROOM WITH LARGE COFFEE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL WALLS IN FRONT ROOM WITH COFFEE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVERS AND FILTERS IN HOOD IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENT COVERS IN BOTH ALL GENDER WASHROOMS, ABOVE UTILITY SINK AND TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD IN FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • EXPIRED PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING PROVIDED FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS (FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC.) UNDER THE PREP TABLE IN THE REAR BAKING/PREP AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN SOIL ACCUMULATION FROM THE SHELVING UNITS TO THE LEFT INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER.
  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE SHELVING UNITS IN TH REAR PREP AREA AND ON TOP OF GREASE TRAPS IN THE PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BAKING PREP AREA AND INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION IN THE VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • No certified food service manager on site while handling and serving TCS foods ( chicken, deli....) instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012
    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • Observed a food handler grabbing pastries ( croissants ) with bare hands. instructed manager not handle ready-to-eat foods with bare hands. Priority violation 7-38-010.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • Found 3 gallons (24lbs) of milk held at 64.3f in coffee station dairy cooler. Instructed manager to hold all cold TCS foods at 41f or lower. Priority violation 7-38-005. milk discarded valued at $12.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • Found front dairy cooler air temp at 60f. cooler is used to store gallons of milk. instructed to keep cooler's temperature at 40f or lower, Priority violation 7-38-005. cooler is tagged not allowed to use. must contact the office of CDPH for tag removal request.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • Food handler not wearing hair restraints. Instructed to wear.
  8. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR OF WALK IN COOLER NOT CLEAN, WATER STAINED, DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  9. License

    1 infraction

    • 13. FOOD IN GOOD CONDITION, SAFE, & UNADULTERATED
  10. License

    0 infractions

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