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SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM

5211-5217 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60640 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 15, 2023. The most recent inspection, on February 23, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 5 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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 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 February 23, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 March 6, 2024. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • NOTED BULK FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE CONTAINERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OPENING/GAP BETWEEN FLOOR AND WALL UNDER HAND SINK IN REAR PREP BEHIND FRONT SERVICE CAFE. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR ALONG THE WALL AND IN ALL CORNER IN REAR PREP AREA (CAFE SIDE).
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.13 INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL FLOOR BASEBOARD AROUND (FRONT) REAR PREP AREA.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HANDSINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH HAND SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE ADJACENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FRONT CAFE PREP AREA OR PERMANENTLY REMOVE THE DOOR LEADING TO PREP/STORAGE AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL FLOOR BASEBOARD AROUND (FRONT) REAR PREP AREA.
  5. License

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE UTILITY SINK, LOCATED IN THE 1ST-FLOOR EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE BASEMENT WITH CLUTTER AND ITEMS ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT AND KEEP ITEMS ELEVATED OFF OF FLOORS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED BRICK WALLS IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COVER AS WALLS SHOULD BE SEALED, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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