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SCISSOR & FORK

3968 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SCISSOR & FORK has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 26, 2025. The most recent inspection, on March 4, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 3 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 12 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 2 times on February 24, 2026. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 February 24, 2026. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 once on February 24, 2026. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 on February 24, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2026. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

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.

3 inspections

  1. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
  2. License

    11 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ENROLLMENT FOR THE FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CLASS OR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP SUPPLIES ON PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRCUTED TO PROVIDE ALL SUPPLIES LISTED ON THE CLEAN UP PROCEDURE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA OF FACILITY. MUST OBTAIN AND INSTALL AN EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK UNDER CITY WATER PRESSURE HOT AND COLD WATER. EQUIPPED WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEAM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS FOR THE WARE WASHING AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BEHIND COFFEE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED SO THAT CAN BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL OR SHOW LOCATION OF GREASE TRAP OR INTERCEPTOR.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED BOTH UNISEX CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEE'S WASHROOMS WITH DOORS WITHOUT SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A CLOSING DOOR DEVICE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES PROVIDED IN BOTH UNUSEX WASHROOM. MUST PRIVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LARGE OPENING INTO WALL NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST SEAL OPENING AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAINT AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License

    0 infractions

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