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MAX FOOD

9444 S LAFAYETTE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60620 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

MAX FOOD has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 14, 2019. The most recent inspection, on September 12, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing 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.

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 25, 2025. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 2 times on August 18, 2025. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 May 14, 2019. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 12, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 once on May 14, 2019. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • THE FAUCET NECK AT THE 3 COMP SINK DOES NOT REACH ALL COMPARTMENTS AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A LONGER FAUCET NECK. OWNER HAS ANOTHER FAUCET ON SITE.
  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM AUGUST 18, 2025 AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A 3-COMPARTMENT DISH SINK. FACILITY PREPARING ITALIAN BEEF AND NACHOS. FACILITY DOES HAVE A HANDSINK. PERSON IN CHARGE STATES HANDSINK IS USED TO WASH DISHES. INFORMED THAT A 3-COMPARTMENT SINK SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR MANUALLY WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE COOKING SAID ITEMS UNTIL 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IS INSTALLED. OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A CHEMICAL TEST KIT TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN WASH RINSE AND SANITIZING. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090 ISSUED. PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A 3-COMPARTMENT DISH SINK. FACILITY PREPARING ITALIAN BEEF AND NACHOS. FACILITY DOES HAVE A HANDSINK. PERSON IN CHARGE STATES HANDSINK IS USED TO WASH DISHES. INFORMED THAT A 3-COMPARTMENT SINK SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR MANUALLY WASHING, RINISING, AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE COOKING SAID ITEMS UNTIL 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IS INSTALLED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CEILING TILE MISSING IN FRONT OF BEVERAGE COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License

    4 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FRONT DOORS NOT RODENT/INSECT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT/INSECT PROOF EITHER ONE OR BOTH FRONT DOORS. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • RUSTY RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE RACKS. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE SALES AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. -OPENINGS IN THE WALLS BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. MUST SEAL. -PEELING PAINT IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND ON THE WALK IN COOLER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT.

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