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SOUTHWEST SENIOR CENTER / GOLDEN DINER

6117 S KEDZIE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60629 · Restaurant (Golden Diner)

Inspection summary

SOUTHWEST SENIOR CENTER / GOLDEN DINER has been inspected 18 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 19, 2010. The most recent inspection, on July 22, 2026, found no infractions.

5 of 18 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests 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 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 23, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 12, 2019. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 August 25, 2021. For example: FOOD RECEIVED AT PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 August 25, 2021. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 11 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on April 23, 2025. For example: SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & 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.

18 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINT FOR BEARD. INSTD TO WEAR EFFECTIVE BEARD RESTRAINT AND MAINTAIN
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • BOXES OF SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO ELEVATE OFF FLOOR AND MAINTAIN
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE PRESENT ON THE COFFEE MACHINE NEXT TO HAND SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HEAVY DUST AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS IN THE CORNERS NEXT TO THE LOCKED CAGES IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREAS FREE OF HEAVY DUST AND DEBRIS BUILD UP.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
  5. Canvass

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 12. FOOD RECEIVED AT PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED BOXED LUNCHED DELIVERED FROM OPEN KITCHENS AT 9:13 AM. TEMPERATURE OF THE MILK WAS RECORDED BETWEEN 55.2F AND 53.1F AT TIME OF DELIVERY. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED 25 CARTONS OF MILK. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT BEING USED AS DRY STORAGE WITH DIRT RESIDUE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010.
    • 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2312162 ON 9-12-19:10-INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A HAND WASHING SINK IN THE SERVING AREA WHERE THEY ARE PROVIDING COFFEE AND HOT/COLD LUNCHES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090
  9. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO PIC PRESENT WITH VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO VALID FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO POST VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A HAND WASHING SINK IN THE SERVING AREA WHERE THEY ARE PROVIDING COFFEE AND HOT/COLD LUNCHES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-030(C).
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 15 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED IN A VARIETY OF AREAS INCLUDING: UNDER BASEMENT STAIRS, UNDER SERVING LINE STATION, ON CARDBOARD BOXES ON STORAGE SHELVING ON KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED FOR PEST CONTROL TO COME OUT AND CLEAR ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-020 (a).
  10. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HANDSINK AT SERVING LINE WHERE STEAM TABLE, COLD LINE LOCATED AND FOOD IS HANDLED AND DISPENSED. INSTD TO PROVIDE HANDSINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).
  11. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED THE LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR KITCHEN NOT CLEAN, ALSO CLEAN CEILING VENT DUSTY, SAME AREA.
  12. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  13. Complaint

    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 APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE STAIRS LEADING TO THE BASEMENT WHERE BULK SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS ARE STORED AND BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE ABOVE NOTED AREAS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL TO ELIMINATE THE ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED DEAD FLIES ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT AROUND BULK SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS AND ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS UNDER EQUIPMENT INSIDE OF THE PREP AND SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED CEILING VENTS INSIDE OF THE PREP AREA WITH ACCUMULATED DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE CEILING VENTS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE PREP AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEFT FAUCET BASE LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE PLUMBING.
  14. Complaint

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE UP RIGHT FREEZER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE WOMENS RESTROOM NOT CLEAN AND IN THE DINING AREA NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  16. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • HOT HOLDING CABINETS DOOR GASKETS UNDERNEATH STEAM TABLE IN POOR REPAIR, WORN, LOOSE. INSTD TO REPLACE SAME.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS BEHIND SERVING LINE INCLUDING UNDER PLEXI GLASS SURFACE NOT CLEAN AND WITH WORN SURFACES. INSTD TO CLEAN AND PAINT SAME. LIGHTSHEILDS IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE MISSING LIGHTSHIELD FOR LIGHT IN PREP AREA.
  17. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 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. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. CLEAN INTERIOR OF REACH IN FREEZER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  18. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS RUSTY. INSTRUCTED TO PAINT SAME.
    • 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. CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREA, BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND BOILER ROOM. HAS DUST AND DIRT BUILDUP.
    • 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. THE VENTS IN THE PREP AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAME.

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