Complaint Re-Inspection
Jul 28, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 28, 2025 · Original Source
Grocery Store · Chicago, IL
Cermak Fresh Market
6623 N Damen Ave
Last inspected Jul 28, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsComplaint
Jul 18, 2025
Fail
3 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 40 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS AT BAKERY PREP AREA AROUND TRAY/DISHMACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REMOVE ALL LIVE SMALL FLIES BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). ADVISED TO CALL PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR SERVICE.
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
1ST FLOOR EMPLOYEES WASHROOM HANDWASH SINK FAUCET LOOSE. MUST REATTACH/REPAIR SAID HANDWASH SINK.
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 WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN BAKERY PREP AREA AT TRAY/DISHMACHINE AREA. MUST REPLACE ALL WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES.
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, Jul 18, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
May 27, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSEREVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR SWEEPS AT OUTER DOORS. MUST RODENT PROOF OUTSIDE DOORS.
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 insectsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 27, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
May 22, 2025
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
FOUND NO RUNNING HOT WATER AT BOTH EMPLOYEES MENS AND WOMENS HANDWASH SINKS AT BASEMENT, WATER TEMPERATURE AT 64.9 F. HOWEVER FOUND RUNNING HOT WATER AT OVER 110.0 F AT ALL OTHER SINKS ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE RUNNING HOT WATER AT BOTH EMPLOYEES MENS AND WOMENS WASHROOMS AT A MINIMAL 100.0 F BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). ESTABLISHMENT IS PUT ON 2 DAY WORK AROUND BY CDPH.
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 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSEREVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR SWEEPS AT OUTER DOORS. MUST RODENT PROOF OUTSIDE DOORS.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ICE BUILD UP ON SALAD BAR CONDENSER. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP 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 FLOOR LITTERED AT BOTH MENS AND WOMENS EMPLOYEES WASHROOMS. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH WASHROOMS FLOORS.
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, May 22, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Oct 15, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 15, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Oct 7, 2024
Fail
3 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
SOME PREP AREA AND DISHWASH AREAS HANDWASH SINKS WITHOUT SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL HANDWASH SINKS MUST HAVE SOAP AND HAND DRYING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). ALL HANDWASH SINKS NOW PROVIDED WITH SOAP AND HAND DRYING UPON INSPECTOR REQUEST.
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 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS AT BAKERY PREP AREA AND 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS AT KITCHEN DISHWASH AREA. ADVISED TO CALL PEST CONTROL OPERATOR FOR SERVICE. MUST REMOVE ALL SMALL FLIES BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A).
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 ACCUMULATED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AT DISHWASH AREAS. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS 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, Oct 7, 2024 · Original Source