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LIFE LLC

3858 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60624 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LIFE LLC has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 21, 2017. The most recent inspection, on January 30, 2026, found no infractions.

7 of 12 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 11, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 11, 2025. 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 2 times on April 16, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 2, 2023. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 2, 2023. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

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.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4 GAP AT BOTTOM OF EXTERIOR DOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED GASKETS COVEREDWITH BLACK DUCT TAPE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND REPAIR. MUST MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED TOASTER OVEN IN REAR PREP AREA INTERIOR SURFACES IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED MANAGER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING AND RETAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
  7. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED PEST ACTIVITY WITH APPROX. 75 MICE DROPPINGS DURING INSPECTION. THE DROPPINGS WAS NOTED NEAR THE PREP TABLE, RESTROOM, UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT AND REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT PEST CONTROL AS ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED TO ELIMINATE ACTIVITY PRIOR TO RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHOLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER OR FOR WARE WASHING AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A LEAK AT FAUCET AT HAND SINK NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  10. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY/SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED,PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS CHICKEN, SHRIMP AND BEEF. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT A CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012. UPON RETURN ON 4-17-19 TONYA BERRY HAD SHOW LETTER FROM MALCOLM X FOR HER CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • PREMISES HAS NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • **PREMISES HAS NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-28-005.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAIR RESTRAINT IN FOOD PREP AREAS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT TO GO CONTAINERS ON THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE UPRIGHT FREEZER.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • UPON RETURNING TO FINISH REPORT FROM 4-16-19 PREMISES HAS NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT ANY OF THE SINK. FOUND WATER AT 49.7F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HOT RUNNING WATER. PRIORITY CITATION ISSUED #7-38-030(C).
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED THE TOILET ROOM DOOR SELF CLOSING DEVICE IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND/OR SPILL.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST CLEAN THE HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PREMISES HAS NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
  12. License

    0 infractions

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