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WING WAH LAU

4340 S ARCHER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

WING WAH LAU has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 6, 2022. The most recent inspection, on October 3, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 26, 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 26, 2025. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 September 26, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 3, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on September 26, 2025. For example: TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

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.

8 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WORN FLOOR GROUT LINES THROUGH OUT PREP AREA IN FRONT OF WOK LINE. INSTD TO RE GROUT FLOOR SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  2. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A BODILY FLUID SPILL KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS WITHOUT PROPER SANITIZER TO DISINFECT NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO OBTAIN A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES (INCLUDING SANITIZER EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS) ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY CLEAN UP ANY VOMIT OR DIARRHEA EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
    • 28. TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
      • EMPLOYEES PERSONAL CARE ITEMS IMPROPERLY STORED ON FOOD STORAGE SHELVES. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED PEST ACTIVITY WITH APPROX. 100 SMALL LIVE FLIES NOTED DURING INSPECTION. FLY ACTIVITY WAS NOTED IN EQUIPMENT CLOSET, WALL NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, IN DINING AREA, NEAR AND AROUND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN FRYER CABINETS. INSTD TO REMOVE FLIES, DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED PIC WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON CLOTHING. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR A CLEAN APRON AT ALL TIMES WHEN PREPARING FOOD.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ALUMINUM FOIL NOTED ON EXTERIOR OF STOVE AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. CARDBOARD LINING NOTED ON SHELVING THROUGH OUT. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL FOIL AND CARDBOARD SO AS SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH, NON POROUS, AND EASILY CLEANABLE
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARDS STAINED AND WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN SAME
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • THE FOLLOWING WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE, FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION: ENTIRE WOK LINE, ATTACHED DRIP TRAYS, EXTERIOR/INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS INCLUDING DOORS AND RUBBER GASKETS, FRYERS, STOVE, MICROWAVE, ALL STORAGE SHELVES, ALL PREP TABLES, AND ALL ATTACHED PIPING THROUGH OUT. INSTD TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN .
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES NOT CLEAN. (URINAL, TOILET AND SINKS). INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES ALONG WALL BASE, UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, FREEZERS, REFRIGERATION UNITS, AND PREP TABLES WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. WALLS THROUGH OUT PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, WITH WORN SURFACES. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WORN FLOOR GROUT LINES THROUGH OUT PREP AREA IN FRONT OF WOK LINE. INSTD TO RE GROUT FLOOR SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSDT TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED COLD HOLD UNITS WITH BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVING IN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED TAPE USED ON PIPE NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY RE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR KITCHEN AREA AS WELL AS FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED ALL AIR VENTS THROUGHOUT FACILTIY COVERED WITH THICK LAYER OF DUST AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON FILTERS IN HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 MOUSE DROPPINGS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT FACILITY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: REAR WASHROOM FLOOR AND ON TOP OF ITEMS STORED IN WASHROOM, BEHIND CHEST FREEZER IN KITCHEN, ALONG FLOOR IN UNUSED BAR AREA, BEHIND TOOLS AND BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN KITCHENS, ON CONTAINERS STORED ON SHELVING, ALONG WINDOWSILL AT REAR OF KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL MOUSE DROPPINGS, SANITIZE AREAS AND INFORM PEST CONTROL OF NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD COVERING TOP OF FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED COLD HOLD UNITS WITH BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GRIME ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVING IN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED TAPE USED ON PIPE NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR KITCHEN AREA AS WELL AS FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED ALL AIR VENTS THROUGHOUT FACILTIY COVERED WITH THICK LAYER OF DUST AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON FILTERS IN HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • 6-301.14- OBESRVED MISSING HANDWASH SIGN IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-302.12- OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.11(B, C, D, E)- OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER AND COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12-OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.
  6. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBESRVED MISSING HANDWASH SIGN IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE REAR PREP COLD TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR; 10LBS OF BEEF AT 50.1F AND 1LB OF SHRIMP AT 48.1F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 11LBS AT $50.00. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER AND COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM 2ND SINK BASIN, WATER BACKS UP INTO 1ST AND 3RD SINK BASINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR BEFORE RE-INSPECTION DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.
  7. License

    4 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ALUMINUM FOIL ON STOVE AND EQUIPMENT. PLASTIC LINING ON SIDES AND FRONT OF WOK STATION. INSTD TO REMOVE FOIL AND PLASTIC LINING AND MAINTAIN SURFACE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE. DUCT TAPE BEING USED TO SECURE GASKETS ON COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTD TO REMOVE DUCT TAPE AND REPAIR/REPLACE WITH PROPER MATERIAL. DUCT TAPE IS PROHIBITED
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF STOVE, INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF FRYERS, INBETWEEN FRYERS, ENTIRE WOK LINE, INCLUDING ALL ATTACHED PIPING, UNDERNEATH BURNERS, DRIP TRAYS, AND EXTERIOR SIDES ENCRUSTED WITH HEAVY GREASE/DEBRIS ACCUMULATION. STORAGE SHELVES THROUGH OUT NOT CLEAN. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP AT INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZERS. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES, ESPECIALLY UNDER AND BEHIND ENTIRE COOKING LINE HEAVILY ENCRUSTED WITH FOOD/DEBRIS/GREASE ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLUTTER/UNUSED BOXES/PAPER AND EQUIPMENT AND FRONT BAR AREA THAT IS NOT IN USE. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL AND MAINTAIN AREA CLEAN AT ALL TIMES.
  8. License

    0 infractions

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