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MEMO'S HOT DOGS

1447 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MEMO'S HOT DOGS has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 14, 2012. The most recent inspection, on December 16, 2025, recorded 3 infractions.

2 of 10 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 15 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 4, 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 4, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 4, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2014. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 15 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on December 16, 2025. 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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15: **C** System Maintained in Good Repair (In Good Repair) THE 3-COMPARTMENT FAUCET IS IN POOR REPAIR. IT LEAKS PROFUSELY FROM THE ELBOW OF THE FAUCET AND AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12: **C** Backflow Prevention Device, Location (NO BACKFLOW DEVICE) MOP SINK IN THE REAR HAS NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TO THE MOP SINK. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11: **C** Maintained in Good Repair, Facilities (FACILITIES NOT IN GOOD REPAIR) DAMAGED/MISSING AND WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND HOLE IN THE FLOOR BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL MISSING/DAMAGED CEILING AND FLOOR TILES. MAINTAIN SAME.
  2. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • PIC DOES NOT HAVE A COC FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID COC CFM CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION COMBINED WITH VIOLATION #2.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO COC CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER NOR CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE PREPARING/SERVING TCS FOODS (I.E. HOT DOGS, PIZZA PUFFS, ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE A CFM AND VALID CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHEN PREPARING/SERVING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE REAR HAND SINK AND IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FOUND 60 LARGE RODENT DROPPINGS ON THE LOWER SHELF BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER, AROUND THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT AND IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. ALSO, 10 SMALL LIVE FLIES AROUND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS AND FLIES, CLEAN/SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHEN IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND WHEN HANDLING FOOD. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF THE FRYER WITH GREASE AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • LOWER SHELVES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH RODENT DROPPINGS AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • THE 3-COMPARTMENT FAUCET IS IN POOR REPAIR. IT LEAKS PROFUSELY FROM THE ELBOW OF THE FAUCET AND AT THE BASE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MOP SINK IN THE REAR HAS NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TO THE MOP SINK. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DAMAGED/MISSING AND WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND HOLE IN THE FLOOR BY THE FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL MISSING/DAMAGED CEILING AND FLOOR TILES. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS WITH DROPPINGS, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO PROOF THAT HE MET THE FOOD HANDLER'S REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORTY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED, 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • REMOVE CLUTTER AT REAR STORAGE AREA ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALLERGEN TRAINING REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED WITH 1/4 INCH GAP UNDERNEATH SAID DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR RODENT PROOFED AND TIGHT FITTING AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INSIDE OF THE TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND THE ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND REACH IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED CEILING TILE IN POOR REPAIR ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK ON THE FAUCET OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPLACE MISSING OUTLET COVER ALONG WALL IN REAR STORAGE AREA. REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE MISSING END CAPS ON LIGHT SHIELDS IN DISH WASHING AREA.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER FRONT EXPOSED SINK AND LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA. ORGANIZE REAR REACH-IN COOLER. STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
  8. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MISSING FLOOR TILES IN ESREAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR /REPLACE FLOOR TILES
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE PROBE THERMOMETER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTEDR UNDER FRONT SERVING COUNTER AND ITEMS ON FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES ORGANIZE COUNTER, AND RAISE ALL ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
  9. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER CABINET TO REMOVE GREASE NOTED AND CLEAN CAN OPENER BLADE OF CAN OPENER IN REAR STORAGE ROOM.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR BEHIND DEEP FREEZER IN STORAGE ROOM, CLEAN FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. REPLACE ANY MISSING OR WORN FLOOR TILE WHERE NEEDED.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN LOWER WALL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. REPLACE MISSING WALL TILE IN REAR STORAGE ROOM AND PAINT WHERE PEELING OR MISSING PAINT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INCREASE WATER PRESSURE AT HANDSINK IN WASHROOM.
  10. License

    6 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • THE BLACK KITCHEN AID REFRIGERATOR HAS A 49.1 F AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATE. REPAIR THE REFRIGERATOR SO IT HOLDS 40 F OR LESS.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 6 RAT DROPPINGS WERE FOUND IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE/STORAGE AREA. REMOVE ALL EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK HAS NO SANITARY STOPPERS, OBTAIN 3 STOPPERS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • THE BASEBOARDS UNDER THE WINDOWS HAVE LARGE GAPS, REPAIR THE BASEBOARDS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • THE FRONT KITCHEN CEILING IS STAINED, REPAINT THE CEILING.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • THE LIGHT SHIELDS ABOVE THE SINK ARE MISSING END CAPS, REPLACE THE CAPS.

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