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PANERA BREAD #6149

1653 W Congress PKWY STE, CHICAGO, IL 60612 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PANERA BREAD #6149 has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 16, 2021. The most recent inspection, on March 26, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

2 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control 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 March 26, 2026. 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 12, 2026. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 on October 7, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on October 7, 2021. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 9 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on June 9, 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.

11 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE SHEET TRAYS IN THE STORAGE AREA WITH FOOD CRUMBS ON THE BOTTOM AND NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE SHEET TRAYS AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE A PREP COOLER. FOUND: TWO CONTAINERS OF HAM (51.0F-57.2F),TWO CONTAINERS OF SALAMI (51.5F), TWO CONTAINERS OF MOZZARELLA (50.1F-51.6F), TWO CONTAINERS OF GRILLED CHICKEN 49.6F-51.0F), SMOKED CHICKEN (51.0F), SLICED TOMATOES (59.7F), TURKEY (56.8F), CHICKEN SALAD (50.1F), TWO CONTAINERS OF STEAK (52.0F), HUMMUS (48.6F), CARMELIZED ONION (49.0F), AMERICAN AND PROVLONE CHEESE(51.2F), SALA VERDE (48.0F), MIXED LEAFY GREENS (48.0F), AND TWO CONTAINERS OF CORN (50.1F). MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 125LBS AT $230 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED A PREP COOLER AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 57.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. TAG PLACED ON UNIT, PLEASE REVIEW COMMENTS FOR TAG REMOVAL PROCEDURE. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE SHEET TRAYS IN THE STORAGE AREA WITH FOOD CRUMBS ON THE BOTTOM AND NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE SHEET TRAYS AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT SEVRINING AREA AND THE REAR PREP AREA WITH LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCETS. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS NEED CLEANING AROUND THE DISH WASHING MACHINE TO REMOVE SPILL AND DEBRIS. ALSO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
  4. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES, TOP OF THE DISH MACHINE, FOUNTAIN POP NOZZLES, AND STAINLESS STEEL SHELVES ABOVE THE PREP COOLER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE PREP AREA.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  5. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOOR OF FREEZER.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  6. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  7. Short Form Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP ON FLOORS AND IN CORNERS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND RETAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP ON FLOORS AND IN CORNERS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT ENTIRE REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND RETAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
  9. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.14(O) Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • Violation Codes: 4-301.14 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE BOTH ELECTRIC OVENS IN MAIN PREP AREA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  10. License

    9 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND SINK.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINGS AT HAND SINKS THROUGHOUT INCLUDING TOILET ROOMS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE NOR REMINDER ON MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS SUCH AS (EGGS)MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED EGG COOKER NOT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE DUE TO FUSE ISSUE.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN HOT EQUIPMENT AT 135.OF.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING WALL BASES IN LOBBY NEAR DRINK STATION,HOLE IN CEILING TILE IN DINING AREA.MUST CAULK UNDERSIDE OF COUNTER TOP IN MAIN KITCHEN AND WALL BASE NEAR DRINK STATION.MUST GROUT FLOOR DRAIN IN MAIN & REAR PREP AREAS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED NO VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE BOTH ELECTRIC OVENS IN MAIN PREP AREA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  11. License

    0 infractions

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