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THE SIT DOWN

1312 E 53RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60615 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THE SIT DOWN has been inspected 19 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 16, 2010. The most recent inspection, on August 11, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

3 of 19 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 23, 2017. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 29, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2015. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 11, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 November 29, 2022. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

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

    2 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER AND TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FREEZERS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS TO REMOVE SPILLS, DEBRIS AND/OR GREASE: FRONT KITCHEN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THE REAR WALK IN COOLERS.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE INTERIOR TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE PREP COOLER IN THE WAITRESS STATION AREA DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A FEW CEILING TILE IN THE DINING AREA IN POOR (WATER DAMAGE). MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • INTERIOR OF ICE BIN IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE SMALL AMOUNT OF BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WALLS AT OVEN IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE SOME FOOD SPLATTER AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASH SIGNAGE IN CUSTOMER WASHROOMS.
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 14. REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION
      • OBSERVED NO FREEZING RECORDS FOR PARASITE DESTRUCTION FOR RAW, PARTIALLY COOKED, OR MARINATED-PARTIALLY COOKED FISH SERVED IN READY TO EAT FORM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY 7-38-005
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • OBSERVED NO UPDATED LETTER(2013) FOR PH OF SUSHI RICE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN LAB ANALYSIS LETTER WITHIN 5 YEARS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • HAND WASH SINK MUST BE PROPERLY EQUIPPED AND CONVENIENTLY LOCATED FOR EMPLOYEE USE IN SMOOTHIE PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN FLOOR IN PREP AREA OF FOOD SPILLS AND OTHER DEBRIS.
  10. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • PROVIDE ACCESS TO OPEN WINDOW IN REAR EMPLOYEE WASHROOM.
  11. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • PROPERLY STORE KNIVES AT FRONT PREP AREA IN KNIFE RACK.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN/SANITIZE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF 3-DR REFRIGERATOR AT FRONT OF FOOD DEBRIS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE AND AT CORNERS IN FRONT PREP AREA AND AT REAR.
  12. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF TABLE TOP SUSHI PREP COOLER AT 44.4F WITH RAW READY TO EAT FOODS STORED INSIDE.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 40.0F OR BELOW.MANAGER ADJUSTED THERMOSTAT AFTER INSPECTION NOW AIR TEMPERATURE IS 38.5F.(CRITICAL 7-38-005A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF RAW ASSORTED READY TO EAT FOODS STORED INSIDE OF ABOVE MENTION COOLER SUCH AS 10 OZ. TUNA 44.3F,8OZ. TUNA 44.3F,12OZ. TUNA 43.3F,10 OZ. TUNA 45.6F,8OZ. TUNA 44.6F. 8 OZ. SALMON 43.2F,3 OZ. SOY SALMON 45.4F,12 OZ. MACKREL 44.4F.PRODUCT WAS DUMPED AND DENATURED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING AT 40.0F OR BELOW.APPX 3.81 LBS. $208. (CRITICAL 7-38-005A)
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST INVERT PLASTIC WEAR PROPERLY.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELVES OF ALL PREP TABLES IN PREP & DISH WASHING AREAS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON 1- DOOR PREP COOLER .
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM COUNTER TOPS UNDERNEATH TABLE TOP SUSHI PREP COOLERS,MEAT SLICER,WINE RACK.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM ALL FLOOR DRAINS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN GROUT AT FRONT BRICK WINDOW SILLS IN DINING AREA,STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR AREA,DAMAGED WALLS AT REAR DOOR AND CRACKED WALL IN STAFF TOILETROOM,THRESHOLD AT FRONT DOOR.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON CEILING IN MOPSINK AREA.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET BY RECENT HIRE.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED SOME FLOOR TILE IN POOR REPAIR IN REAR STORAGE ROOM; REPLACE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED SOME AREAS OF THE LOWER WALL BASE IN POOR REPAIR; REPAIR WHERE NEEDED.
  14. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • LABEL BULK CONTAINER WITH RICE IN PANTRY.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WIPE WALLS AROUND/BEHIND DISHMACHINE.
  15. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED 5LBS OF COOKED RICE AT 95.5 DEGREES F. MUST MAINTAIN AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW OR 140 DEGREES F AND ABOVE. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PAINT THE TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP AND REMOVE RUST SPOTS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN WALLS BEHIND PREP TABLES,UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND DISH MACHINE IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND BETTER ORGANIZE CLUTTER IN REAR ATTACHED GARAGE. STORE ALL ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
  16. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  17. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • NO HOT WATER IN MEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED H78161.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF BEVERAGE MACHINES AND NOZZLES.
  18. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND RUSTY SHELVES/SHELVING UNIT ACROSS OF 3COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • FOUND EMPLOYEE RESTROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING.
  19. Suspected Food Poisoning

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • LABEL LARGE CLEAR AND WHITE CONTAINERS IN DRY STORAGE ROOM
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INVERT ALL CLEAN MULTIUSE CONTAINERS DURING STORAGE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • DETAIL CLEAN CORNERS IN DRY STORAGE ROOM
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VENT COVERS IN REAR ABOVE DISH MACHINE STARTING TO RUST, PAINT SAME.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • DETAIL CLEAN ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT.

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