Restaurant · Chicago, IL

1st Chop Suey

Name: 1st Chop Suey
Address: 5845 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL

5845 S Archer Ave

Last inspected Aug 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

Aug 6, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SPOONS AND SCOPPS STORED IN COLD HOLD UNITS INSIDE OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND SANITIZE WHILE NOT IN USE.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOIL COVERING BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE FOIL AND CARDBOARD ARE NOT ALLOWED ON CONTACT SURFACES.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD RESIDUE BUILD UP ON SHELVING IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FLOOR UNDER SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 6, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Aug 11, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-305.11: FOOD STORAGE ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES ON PROPER SHELVING AND MAINTAI

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19: CARDBOARD LINING ON STORAGE SHELVES THROUGH OUT. INSTD TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND HAVE SURFACES SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-201.11: WORN FLOOR GROUT LINES NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK CAUSING STANDING WATER IN LINES. INSTD TO RE GROUT AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 ALLERGEN TRAINING MISSING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 4, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OVER 30 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR ALONGWALL BASE BEHIND WIRE STORAGE RACKS. INSTD TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A) PRIORITY FOUNDATION

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

FOOD STORAGE ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO ELEVATE 6 INCHES ON PROPER SHELVING AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

CARDBOARD LINING ON STORAGE SHELVES THROUGH OUT. INSTD TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND HAVE SURFACES SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

WORN FLOOR GROUT LINES NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK CAUSING STANDING WATER IN LINES. INSTD TO RE GROUT AND MAINTAIN

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

ALLERGEN TRAINING MISSING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 4, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 29, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-602.13 CLEAN THE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND PLASTIC SHELVING IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA, WIRE STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, SOAP DISPENSER NEXT TO THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, 2 DOOR PREP COOLER, WOK STATION, 1 BURNER STOVE, OVEN, AND PREP TABLES WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD BUILDUP.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19 OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE THE STORAGE SHELVES.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11 SEAL THE OPENINGS IN THE WALL BETWEEN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND WASHROOM WHERE PIPES GO INTO THE WALL.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 29, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 22, 2024

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY AND LIVE INSECTS ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROX. 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR BENEATH THE DRY STORAGE SHELVES AND IN THE CORNER OF THE WASHROOM UNDER THE HAND-WASHING SINK. ALSO OBSERVED APPROX. 50 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS, CEILING, AND STOCK BOXES IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA AND BEHIND THE WOK AND STOVE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM THE PREMISES. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE THE STORAGE SHELVES.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND PLASTIC SHELVING IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA, WIRE STORAGE SHELVES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, SOAP DISPENSER NEXT TO THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, 2 DOOR PREP COOLER, WOK STATION, 1 BURNER STOVE, OVEN, AND PREP TABLES WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD BUILDUP.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

SEAL THE OPENINGS IN THE WALL BETWEEN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND WASHROOM WHERE PIPES GO INTO THE WALL.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 22, 2024 · Original Source