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SUBWAY

5409 S HARLEM AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SUBWAY has been inspected 18 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 7, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 1, 2019, found no infractions.

4 of 18 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: Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 10 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on June 1, 2017. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 May 25, 2017. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 14 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on March 20, 2018. For example: WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

  • 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 8 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on June 1, 2017. For example: LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 27, 2017. For example: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

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

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED THE NORTH WALL BEHIND THE MENU SIGN, LIGHT SHIELD AND CEILING VENT DUSTY ABOVE BAKING CENTER, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE DUST.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE THIRD COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING AT LOWER PIPE, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
  3. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT IN POOR REPAIR IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO REPAIR.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • WORKING THEMOMETER MISSING FOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED, UNABLE TO DRAIN PROPERLY UNLESS RELEASING WATER AT EXTREMELT SLOW INTERVALS. INSTD TO REPAIR AND ABLE TO DRAIN PROPERLY. VIOLATION 7-38-030 SERIOUS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • WORN CAULKING WITH BLACK SUBSTANCE NOTED ON BASE OF WALL AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHT IN POOR REPAIR IN MENS TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO REPAIR.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • WORKING THEMOMETER MISSING FOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • WORN CAULKING WITH BLACK SUBSTANCE NOTED AT WALL AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MISSING WALLBASE ACROSS FROM PREP TABLE IN REAR. REPLACE SAME. VENT, LIGHTSHIELD AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES ABOVE BREAD OVENS WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INSTD TO PROVIDE RECORDS, LOGS.
  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • HAND SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA IN NEED OF REPAIR. LEAKS MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST INSTALL THERMOMETER IN FRONT REACH IN COOLER. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED/NO MANAGER ON DUTY WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD'S BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012a.MEATBALLS/RED SAUCE 141.2*F
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE REAR HAND SINK LEAKING AT NOZZLE, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN WALK-IN COOLER, DOOR THERMOMETER BROKEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR PROVIDE THERMOMETER IN COOLER.
  10. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED THE WALK-IN FREEZER AT 48*F AT THIS TIME, FREEZER BROKEN NOT WORKING/MAINTAINED SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD PRODUCT TEMPERATURE OF 0*F OR BELOW. COOLER TAGGED DO NOT USE FREEZER CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005a
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED 10LBS OF MEATBALLS WHERE THE BAG HAD SWOLLEN THE PRODUCT TEMPERATURE WAS 46.8*F, AND 44.6*F THESE BAGS WERE DISPOSED OF/DENATURED BY MANAGER.INSTRUCTED TO TRANSFR REMAINING FOOD INTO THE WALK-IN COOLER. IF THE FOOD THAWS OUT YOU CAN NOT REFREEZE IT IT MUST BE USED/OR DISPOSED OF. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005a.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED STANDING WATER ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, INSTRUCTED TO DRY MOP/REMOVE STANDING WATER.
  12. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS IN THE TOILET ROOMS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENTS IN THE TOILET ROOMS AND FROM PREP AREA.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE, MAINTAIN AND CONSPICOUSLY PLACE WORKING/MISSING THERMOMETERS TO THE FRONT PREP COOLER AND THE WALK IN COOLER.
  13. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • FOUND HOT WATER PRESSURE AT THE WASH BOWL IN THE MEN'S TOILET ROOM VERY LOW. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE AND MAINTAIN HOT WATER PRESSURE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS IN THE TOILET ROOMS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENTS IN THE TOILET ROOMS AND FROM PREP AREA.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE, MAINTAIN AND CONSPICOUSLY PLACE WORKING/MISSING THERMOMETERS TO THE FRONT PREP COOLER AND THE WALK IN COOLER.
  14. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • STOCK ON FLOOR. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES. WALK-IN FREEZER FLOOR NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS/ICE. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • INTERNAL THERMOMETER MISSING IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FRONT REACH-IN COOLER. PROVIDE SAME.
  15. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAK AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET IN NEED OF REPAIR. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  16. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR DRAIN IN REAR NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME. FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA NOT CLEAN. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CAULK INBETWEEN WALL AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR, NOT CLEAN, BLACK SUBSTANCE. INSTD TO REPLACE SAME.
  17. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER FLOOR NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME. ELEVATE STOCK 6 INCHES.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR INTERIOR OF WALK-IN COOLER.
  18. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • CLEAN EQUIPMENT IMPROPERLY STORED ON FLOOR. ELEVATE AND INVERT
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALL BEHIND PREP TABLE NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LIGHT OUT IN WALK-IN FREEZER. REPLACE SAME.

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