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MAX'S RESTAURANT CHICAGO/MAX'S RESTAURANT CUISINE

5033 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MAX'S RESTAURANT CHICAGO/MAX'S RESTAURANT CUISINE has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 22, 2019. The most recent inspection, on January 6, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

4 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, 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.

  • 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 6, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 once on July 10, 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 once on March 18, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on May 4, 2021. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on January 6, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SYRUP BUILD UP ON UNDER PART OF SODA DISPENSER WHERE SODA IS DISPENSED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTIAN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAK AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. FAUCET KEEPS RUNNING WHEN SHUT OFF. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SENSOR ON AUTOMATIC PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER LOCATED AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK NEAR OFFICE DOES NOT WORK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST AND DIRT ON VENTS ABOVE UTILITY SINK AND IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER OF RICE WITH NO LABEL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE WITH SOIL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE NOT SANITIZING, 0PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-025. MUST REPAIR.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FOUND FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY AT PREMISES.OBSERVED 30 FRUIT FLIES ON WALLS BY 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020A. MUST NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR AND ELIMINATE FRUIT FLIES.
  7. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLER OPPOSITE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED 2 CUTTING BOARDS ON MAIN HOT LINE COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES WITH DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF ICE NEAR FAN IN 2 DOOR PREP COOLER LOCATED IN SAME ROOM AS SODA BAG-IN-BOX MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CAN OPENER ATTACHED TO PREP TABLE IN FOOD PREP AREA COVERED IN FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH MAIN EQUIPMENT ON MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF ICE BUILD-UP INSIDE THE REAR 2 DOOR COOLER DIRECTLY ACROSS THE DISH WASHING MACHINE AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • FOUND NO CHEMICAL SANITIZING TEST KIT/STRIPS ON PREMISES TO TEST SANITIZER CONCENTRATION.INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT TEST STRIPS MUST BE ON SITE ALL TIMES AND TO MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT # 2352925 ON 12/09/2019: #58 - FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367 ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.
  10. License

    3 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSED OR SEAL RAW WOODEN LEDGE BEHIND PREP COOLERS IN PREP AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER (S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. INFORMATION GIVEN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA 100-0367 ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  11. License

    0 infractions

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