Canvass
Feb 10, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 10, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Blue Door Kitchen + Garden
52 W Elm St
Last inspected Feb 10, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
5 inspectionsCanvass
Apr 16, 2025
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HOLES AROUND PIPING IN THE BASEMENT AREA NEAR THE FLOOR KETTLE AS WELL AS SMALL OPENING IN THE CORNERS OF THE CEILING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ANY OPENINGS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.
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 insectsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE DEEP FRYER WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 16, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint Re-Inspection
Dec 11, 2024
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
4-301.16: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 11, 2024 · Original Source
Complaint
Dec 2, 2024
Fail
8 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.
In plain English
Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 25Food temperature
Official wording
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
In plain English
Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.
More about food kept at an unsafe temperaturenotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED OPENING AT LEFT SIDE BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR LEADING TO ALLEY. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
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 insectsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED REDDISH BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF BOTH FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF BOTH FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT BASEMENT PREP AREA.
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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NONWORKING CEILING LIGHT IN SOUTHSIDE ALL GENDER WASHROOM ON FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NONWORKING LIGHT IN SOUTHSIDE ALL GENDER WASHROOM ON FIRST FLOOR.
In plain English
Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.
More about building upkeep issuesnotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
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 issuesnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR ONE EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 2, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Jul 23, 2024
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER ON THE LOWER LEVEL DEBRIS UNDER SHELVING. INSTRUCTED 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA AS WELL AS A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE DRAINS IN THE REAR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.
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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET LOCATED AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.
More about water, plumbing, or sewage problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 23, 2024 · Original Source