THE GOOD LIFE SOUL FOOD CAFE

11226-11238 S HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60628 · Restaurant

6 inspections

1. Canvass Re-InspectionFeb 3, 2026

   9 infractions

   • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
     • OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
   • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
     • WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.
   • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
     • FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
2. CanvassJan 27, 2026

   10 infractions

   • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
     • OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • RODENT DROPPINGS ON THE PREMISES. 60 BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT/FRYERS; 40 IN THE FRYERS; 60 IN THE CORNERS OF THE MOP SINK AREA AND 40 ALONG THE WALL BASE BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BAKERY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICES. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
   • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
     • WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.
   • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
     • FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
3. Canvass Re-InspectionApr 2, 2025

   1 infraction

   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
4. CanvassMar 26, 2025

   10 infractions

   • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
     • OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
   • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
     • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN BAKERY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON COMPRESSOR UNIT NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAKERY, INSIDE COMPRESSOR UNIT OF PREP COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA, ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS NEAR UTILITY SINK AND WATER HEATER IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
   • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
     • OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF SOUTHEAST DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED NO LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
   • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
     • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2605791 ON 11-1-24:39-OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. 58- OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
5. License Re-InspectionNov 1, 2024

   7 infractions

   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
   • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
     • OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
     • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
6. LicenseOct 23, 2024

   17 infractions

   • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
     • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
   • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
     • OBSERVED PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 47.2F AND SEVERAL COOLERS NOT OPERABLE. ALL COOLERS MUST MAINTAIN 41 FOR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005
   • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
     • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
   • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
     • OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER FRONT COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED STOPPERS NOT OPERABLE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
   • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
     • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT MULTIPLE SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT LEAST 100F AT HAND WASHING SINKS AND 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
   • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
     • OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED PEELING SURFACES IN CEILING OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED DEBRIS ONFLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
     • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.