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MENTA ACADEMY SOUTH

321 E 84TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60619 · School

Inspection summary

MENTA ACADEMY SOUTH has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 2, 2023. The most recent inspection, on November 20, 2025, found no infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • 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, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 5, 2023. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example: GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER (68F-81.9F) AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN STAFF AND STUDENT WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 100F WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED INSIDE CABINETS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED FLY STRIP HANGING IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE FLY STRIP FROM KITCHEN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO WASTE RECEPTACLE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL AREAS WASTE IS COMMONLY DISCARDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN KITCHEN AND GIRLS WASHROOM, STAINED CEILING TILES IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MAANGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • THE HOT WATER PRESSURE AT BOTH HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE GIRLS TOILET ROOM BY THE KITCHEN IS LOW. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. PEELING PAINT/DAMAGED WALL ABOVE THE HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE GIRLS TOILET ROOM BY THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE, PAINT AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE GIRLS TOILET ROOM BY THE KITCHEN NEEDS CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN LIGHT SHIELDS.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER ON THE HOT HOLDING/ ROASTING UNIT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER ON THE SAID UNIT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO LIDED RECEPTACLES ON THE SECOND FLOOR GIRLS' TOILET ROOM WHERE HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNOR HIGH CLASSES ARE HELD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE PRODUCTS.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. TEMPERATURE OF WATER WAS 87.4F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT (100-120F) AND COLD RUNNING AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER ON THE HOT HOLDING/ ROASTING UNIT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER ON THE SAID UNIT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MICE DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA: ON THE FLOOR BEHIND AND ON THE SIDES OF THE GREASE TRAP, INSIDE THE CABINET AND ON THE FLOOR IN AN OPENING UNDER THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK, IN THE CABINET ACROSS FROM THE HOT HOLDING UNIT, INSIDE THE DRY STORAGE/ MOP SINK CLOSET ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO LIDED RECEPTACLES ON THE SECOND FLOOR GIRLS' TOILET ROOM WHERE HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNOR HIGH CLASSES ARE HELD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE PRODUCTS.

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