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SUNNY BOWLS

222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SUNNY BOWLS has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 28, 2021. The most recent inspection, on March 16, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Food source, labelling and allergens and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 4, 2025. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 4, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 June 14, 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 once on September 27, 2023. For example: NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

  • 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on March 16, 2026. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED 1 EMPLOYEE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2613090 DATED 3/4/2025. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 50.2F AND 57.2F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, CHICKEN SALAD(50.2F) AND TUNA SALAD(57.2F)HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $80 WEIGHING 10LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR PREP UNDERNEATH SHELVING UNIT NEAR DOORWAY AND IN STORAGE CAGE IN REAR STORAGE AREA ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDERNEATH SANITIZER AND WASH COMPARTMENTS OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAINPIPE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FACILITY PROVIDED ONE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WITH NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED CONTAINER OF SAUCE STORED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER COVERED WITH CONTAINER LID WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS UNCOVERED OR LOOSELY-COVERED WHILE COOLING TO FACILITATE HEAT TRANSFER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED BAG OF SOUP IN FOOD PREP SINK IN THE REAR AREA THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE NOT SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER REFRIGERATION OR SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER AT 70.0F OR LESS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN THE REAR 3-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUSL LOCATION AT EACH COLD-HOLDING UNIT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED TO COVER EXTERIOR OF NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES (DRAINAGE PIPE) OF SOUP VAT EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND MAINTAIN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACE (EXTERIOR OF DISPENSING NOZZLE) OF SMOOTHIE MACHINE TO BE SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE PRESENT AT THE REAR KITCHEN AREA UTILITY SINK, BUT INSTALLED IN LOCATION THAT IS INACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING OR SERVICE. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE SO THAT IT MAY BE EASILY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-602.11(A; B:1-4,6,7; C; D): PREPACKAGED FOODS (CHIA PUDDING, VARIOUS SALADS, VARIOUS DIPPING SAUCES, AND FRESHLY MADE JUICES) IN CUSTOMER GRAB-GO AREA IS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. MANAGER CONFIRMED NO MAJOR ALLERGENS ASSOCIATED WITH PACKAGED FOODS. FACILITY MUST LABEL WITH: 1) COMMON NAME OF FOOD, 2) INGREDIENTS, 3) NET QUANTITIES, 4) NAME AND ADDRESS OF PACKAGER.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13: CURRENT CITY CERTIFIFED MANAGER DOES NOT HAVE AN ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION. ALL PENDING/CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION AND PRESENT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE USED BARE HANDS TO GRAB READY-TO-EAT SANDWICH TOPPINGS SUCH AS LETTUCE, TOMATOES, AND ONIONS. FOOD EMPLOYEES SHALL USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS/TONGS, DISPENSING EQUIPMENT OR SINGLE USE GLOVES WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS. DISCUSSED IMPORTANCE OF WEARING GLOVES WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS WITH EMPLOYEE AND MANAGER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • DID NOT OBSERVE ANY PROPER WARNING SIGNAGE FOR VARIOUS FRESH MADE PRODUCE JUICES ON SITE. LABEL MUST STATE, "WARNING: THESE PRODUCTS HAS NOT BEEN PASTEURIZED AND, THEREFORE, MAY CONTAIN HARMFUL BACTERIA THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS IN CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND PERSONS WITH WEAKENDED IMMUNE SYSTEMS." MANAGER REMOVED JUICES FROM CUSTOMER GRAB-GO STATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • PREPACKAGED FOODS (CHIA PUDDING, VARIOUS SALADS, VARIOUS DIPPING SAUCES, AND FRESHLY MADE JUICES) IN CUSTOMER GRAB-GO AREA IS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. MANAGER CONFIRMED NO MAJOR ALLERGENS ASSOCIATED WITH PACKAGED FOODS. FACILITY MUST LABEL WITH: 1) COMMON NAME OF FOOD, 2) INGREDIENTS, 3) NET QUANTITIES, 4) NAME AND ADDRESS OF PACKAGER.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • CURRENT CITY CERTIFIFED MANAGER DOES NOT HAVE AN ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION. ALL PENDING/CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION AND PRESENT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  6. Canvass

    0 infractions

  7. License

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES TO SIGN & DATE, AND KEEP ONSITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET, INFORMATION PROVIDED.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE MUST OBTAIN AN ONLINE ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.

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