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TUSCAN HEN FOODS

4019 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TUSCAN HEN FOODS has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 27, 2016. The most recent inspection, on November 10, 2025, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 11 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, 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.

  • 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 10, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 14, 2023. 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 11, 2022. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 3, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2020. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES (EXTERIOR SIDE ADJACENT TO GRILL) OF 1-DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA TO BE SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE, DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PLUMBING FIXTURES IN POOR REPAIR: FAUCET HANDLE ON 1-COMPARTMENT FOOD PREP SINK IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA MISSING, METAL FAUCET SEAL ON HANDWASHING SINK IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA CRACKED BUT FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE LISTED PLUMBING FIXTURES AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES IN GOOD REPAIR.
  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE WHITE REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN REAR GARAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE USED ONLY TO PRODUCE ICE FOR COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED RESTROOM IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE "OUT OF ORDER" OR SIMILAR SIGNAGE ON DOOR TO AVOID EMPLOYEES USING RESTROOM.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED 2 FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2585148 DATED 11/14/2023: #58 "OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO PERSON ON SITE WITH AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED. MUST HAVE A PERSON ON SITE WITH AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED PINK MINERAL BUILD UP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PACKAGED FOODS FOR CUSTOMER SELF SERVICE WITH MISSING LABEL INFORMATION. MUST INCLUDE NAME OF BUSINESS, ADDRESS AND NET QUANTITY(SALADS, PESTO, PIZZA SAUCE).
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED COLD HANDLE LOOSE AT FAUCET OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF HANGING DUST BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED NO LABEL FOR BULK POWDER STORAGE CONTAINER STORED ON THE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD SPLASH AND DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE MINI REFRIGERATOR IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEM, SUCH AS A BREAKFAST SANDWICH, THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY THAT DISCLOSES AND REMIND CUSTOMERS OF SUCH FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SINK FOR FOOD PREPARATION IN THE REAR KITCHEN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST PROVIDE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING AND WALLS AT BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE AND FREEZER/REFRIGERATION UNITS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WALLS THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN WITH CHIPPING PLASTER, PEELING PAINT AND HOLES. MUST REPAIR ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN THE BASEMENT EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR.
  7. Complaint

    15 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINKS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND EVIDENCE OF BEING USED AS A FOOD PREP SINKS. REAR PREP HAND SINK NOTED WITH FOOD UTENSILS INSIDE AND EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS IN THE SINK. DURING INSPECTION A FOOD HANDLER WAS NOTED PUTTING DIRTY FOOD UTENSILS INSIDE THE FRONT PREP HAND WASHING SINK. ALL UTENSILS REMOVED. REVIEWED WITH MANAGEMENT THAT HAND SINKS MUST BE USED FOR HAND WASHING PURPOSES ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN THE COOLER WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATES. FOODS SUCH AS DELI MEATS, AU JUS GRAVY, PASTA SALADS, COOKED BEEF. REVIEWED ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS.ALL FOODS DISCARDED ESTIMATED 50LBS @ $200.00. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEM, SUCH AS A BREAKFAST SANDWICH, THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY THAT DISCLOSES AND REMIND CUSTOMERS OF SUCH FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • PREP WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • ALL CLEAN POTS, BOWLS, PANS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR CHECKING SANITIZING LEVELS WHILE DISH WASHING. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • SHELVING IN THE REAR KITCHEN DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SINK FOR FOOD PREPARATION IN THE REAR KITCHEN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • RAW WOODEN WALL MOUNT FOR PAPER DISPENSER IN THE REAR KITCHEN MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST PROVIDE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING AND WALLS AT BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE AND FREEZER/REFRIGERATION UNITS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN WITH FOOD DEBRIS, GREASE UNDER AND AROUND ALL COOLERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WALLS THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN WITH CHIPPING PLASTER, PEELING PAINT AND HOLES. MUST REPAIR ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN THE BASEMENT EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM #2345644 ON 11-14-19 NOT CORRECTED. #57- NO EMPLOYEES FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE CERTIFICATES WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.#58- NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  8. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • SOME VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING ITEMS MISSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY CLEAN UP ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED REFRIGERATED TCS FOODS NOT LABELED OR DATED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE LABLED WITH SELL BY DATE INCLUDED. PRIORITY FOUNATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN BASEMENT WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • BASEMENT FLOOR CLUTTERED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO EMPLOYEES FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE CERTIFICATES WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
  9. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OUTSIDE PATIO NOT MAINTAINED: OBSERVED A BAG OF GARBAGE STORED ON THE BACK PATIO WITH GNAW MARKS ON ALL SIDES OF THE BAG, A CARDBOARD SAUSAGE BOX, AND AN ALUMINUM TRAY. MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS UPON REQUEST. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL GARBAGE AND REFUSE ITEMS IN A COVERED DUMPSTER AND MAINTAIN CLEAN AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT TO REMOVE ONION SKIN AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILUDP.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE DUMP SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WAS SHUT OFF AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MANAGER MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDER THE SINK SO THE FACILITY SHUT OFF THE WATER UNTIL A PLUMBER CAN REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER REPAIR THE SINK TO PROVIDE HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE OR REMOVE SINK FROM PREMISES.
  10. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • BASEMENT EMPLOYEES WASHROOM CEILING VENTILATION FAN NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WORKING WASHROOM CEILING VENTILATION FAN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • NO THERMOMETER INSIDE BASEMENT REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETER FOR SAID COOLER.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE WITH ICE SCOOP HANDLE NOT UPWARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN CONTAINER FOR ICE SCOOP.
  11. License

    2 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD COVERS OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS FOR THE LIGHT FIXTURES IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA ABOVE THE STOVE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE 2 ADDITIONAL WORKING SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3-COMP SINK IN ORDER TO PROPERLY SET-UP FOR WASHING, RINSING, AND SANITIZING. FOUND ONLY ONE WORKING SINKS TOPPER.

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