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THE HAPPY LOBSTER

2300 S THROOP ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Mobile Food Preparer

Inspection summary

THE HAPPY LOBSTER has been inspected 19 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 3, 2016. The most recent inspection, on April 22, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

4 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens, Pests 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 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 10 times across 10 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 24, 2025. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 24, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 May 31, 2023. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

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.

19 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • LICENSE NUMBER NEEDED ON BOTH LATERAL SIDES OF TRUCK 2 INCH SIZE OR LARGER INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • SCREENS NEEDED ON SERVICE WINDOWS WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NEW LARGE CUTTING BOARD NEEDED FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REMOVE BOARD COMPLETELY FROM TRUCK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • LICENSE NUMBER NEEDED ON BOTH LATERAL SIDES OF TRUCK 2 INCH OR MORE IN SIZE INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • SCREENS NEEDED FOR SERVICE WINDOWS WHEN NOT IN OPERATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
  3. License

    0 infractions

  4. License

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO SAND OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD TO MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER NOT PRINTED ON THE LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER ON THE LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT, FOOD, AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK AT THE HOT WATER KNOB WHEN THE HOT WATER IS TURNED ON AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE LATERAL SIDES OF MFP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 INCHES IN HEIGHT ON LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-601(C) OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS INSIDE OF THE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS LOCATED UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE LATERAL SIDES OF MFP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 INCHES IN HEIGHT ON LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP.
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11 OBSERVED DARK GROOVES IN THE CUTTING BOARD. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DARK GROOVES OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED THE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER NOT ENTIRELY VISIBLE ON THE LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE VISIBLE BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER ON THE LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK AT THE HOT WATER KNOB WHEN THE HOT WATER IS TURNED ON AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED MINOR DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS AROUND THE HOT WATER HEATER UNDER THE HAND-WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  9. License

    1 infraction

    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED REACH IN COOLER AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 60F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE A MINIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005.THE MANAGER REPAIRED THE SERVICE COOLER AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.
  10. License

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • FOUND NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN FOOD PREP AREA. HANDWASHING SIGNAGE MUST BE POSTED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FOUND REAR DOOR WITHOUT SCREENING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED LICENSE NUMBER INADEQUATE ON LATERAL SIDES OF THE MFP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LICENSE NUMBER AT LEAST 2 INCHES IN HEIGHT ON LATERAL SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND GREASE DEBRIS UNDER ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  12. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE/ DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  13. License

    3 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED THE LICENSE NUMBERS ON EACH SIDE OF THE FOOD TRUCK WORN AND NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE LICENSE NUMBER LEGIBLY AFFIXED IN LETTERS AT LEAST 2 INCHES IN HEIGHT IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON EACH LATERAL SIDE OF SUCH VENDOR'S MOBILE VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SERVICE WINDOW MISSING A SCREEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
  14. License

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED THE LICENSE NUMBER ON EACH SIDE OF THE FOOD TRUCK NOT THE PROPER LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE LICENSE NUMBER LEGIBLY AFFIXED IN LETTERS AT LEAST 2 INCHES IN HEIGHT IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON EACH LATERAL SIDE OF SUCH VENDOR'S MOBILE VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
  15. License

    0 infractions

  16. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES (DISPOSABLE MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP , DISPOSABLE LATEX GLOVES, ADEQUATE SANITIZER *MUST ELIMINATE NOROVIRUS*) TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE MOBILE FOOD VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
  17. License

    0 infractions

  18. Canvass

    0 infractions

  19. License

    6 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • OBSERVED CORRECT LICENSE #2446963 NEEDS TO BE PRINTED ON LATERAL SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND PREVIOUS LICENSE NUMBER REMOVED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED ACCUMUALTED FOOD DEBRIS UNDER THE CUTTING BOARD BY THE SANDWICH STATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOORS WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS BEHIND COOKIN EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND DIRT DEBRIS ON THE VENT SCREEN LOCATED ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CERTIFIED MANAGERS CERTIFICATION. MUST PROVIDE.

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