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PODHALANKA RESTAURANT

1549 W DIVISION ST, CHICAGO, IL 60642 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PODHALANKA RESTAURANT has been inspected 15 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 6, 2010. The most recent inspection, on March 7, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 12, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 January 4, 2022. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 January 4, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 December 7, 2018. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 21 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on January 9, 2023. 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.

15 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE STOVETOPS AND EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • FOUND SOILED WIPING CLOTH STORED ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZER SOLUTION, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND FOOD IN DEEP FREEZER STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS, MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • FOUND ACCUMULATED ICE BUILD UP IN STAND-UP FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND SOILED MOPS STORED IN MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO HANG TO DRY, AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM ANSI ACCREDITED PROGRAM AND RENEW EVERY 3 YEARS.
  5. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED EXPIRED CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE FROM 09/17/2021. ORIGINAL AND VALID CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • PREMISES HAS NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES TO CLEAN UP VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE SUPPLIES OR BODY FLUID SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK, SERVICE REPORT, OR STATE LICENSE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL COMPANY FOR SERVICE, LOGBOOK AND LICENSE OR PROVIDE PEST CONTROL CONTRACT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM ANSI ACCREDITED PROGRAM AND RENEW EVERY 3 YEARS.
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED PROCEDURE, BUT NO CLEAN UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED DISHES, POTS AND PANS STORED IMPROPERLY ON THE STORAGE RACK IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED THAT DISHES SHOULD BE STORED INVERTED TO ENSURE PROPER AIR DRYING.
  7. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • PREMISES HAS NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED PRECOOKED FOODS INSIDE THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DATE FOOD ITEMS WHEN COOKED (FIFO). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NOTED A LEAK AT THE FRONT COUNTER SINK AT THE BASE OF THE FIXTURE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS AT THE FRONT COUNTER TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PREMISES MANAGER HAS NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST THE REACH-IN FREEZER AND THE DEEP FREEZER TO REMOVE FROST BUILDUP ON THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED UNITS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED MEAT STORED DIRECTLY IN GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE REACH-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE MEAT IN FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS ONLY.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE STICKY HANDLES ATTACHED TO THE WHITE REACH-IN FREEZER AND REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • THE LIGHT BULB IN THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IS BURNED OUT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE BURNED OUT BULB TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN THE REFRIGERATION UNIT AND MAINTAIN.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND WHITE STOVE,SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE CARDBOARDS ,PLASTIC SHEET ARE USED FOR SHELF LINERS,INCLUDED THE CHEST FREEZER,INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE,SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FAUCET NECK AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK BEHIND UNUSED BAR IS TOO LOSE AT BASE,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REORGANIZE FURNACE AREA ELEVATE ITEMS 6"OFF THE FLOORS
  10. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • ALL WORN AND DISCOLORED CUTTING BOARDS MUST BE REPLACED. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • STOVE TOP IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS ALONG WALL BASES AND IN FURNACE ROOM IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • HOOD VENTILATION UNIT ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • NO ONE ON SITE WITH FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INFORMATION GIVEN.
  11. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS AND MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • REMOVE GROCERY BAGS AND PROPERLY STORE FOOD IN FREEZER STORAGE BAGS/CONTAINERS IN CHEST FREEZER.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR LEAK UNDER EXPOSED SINK IN KITCHEN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. REMOVE SOILED WATER AND STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.
  12. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • PROPERLY STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST CLEAN TOPS AND SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, REAR KITCHEN AREA
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST PROVIDE 3 SINK STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK
  14. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority.PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#152801 10/08/08 *389 #32 REMOVE OR REPLACE WOOD SHELF ABOVE SINK AREA.,#38 SPLASHGUARD NEEDED AT EXPOSED HANDSINK.MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.ITEMS ON FLOOR BEHIND COUNTERS NOT ELEVATED 6" OFF FLOOR.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • None of the operations connected with food establishments shall be conducted in any room used as living or sleeping quarters. Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated.WOMENS TOILET ROOM IS NOT SELF CLOSING.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.WATER LEAKING FROM BASE OF FAUCET AT 3 COMP SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM PREMISES.

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