Non-Inspection
Jan 13, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 13, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Cheflife 19
3438 N Clark St
Last inspected Jan 13, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
No Entry
ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
4 inspectionsComplaint
Dec 17, 2025
Fail
9 recorded violations
notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNAGE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.CITATION ISSUED.
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 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK. INSTRUCTED ABOVE MUST HAVE A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON PREMISES CONTAINING RECENT INVOICES LICENSE PEST CONTROL IDPH COPY, MAP OF THE FACILITY ETC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
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 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE ICE BIN IN FRONT JUICE BAR. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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 issuesnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official wording
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER, REAR OF BASEMENT AND INSIDE FURNANCE ROOM. MUST ELEVATED ITEMS FOR THE EASY OF CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING.
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 issuesnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SLOW LEAK PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s notes
MANAGEMENT MUST HAVE A GREASE CONTAINER TO PROPERLY DISPOSED OF THE GREASE. ABOVE IS USING OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS TO DISPOSE OF GREASE.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST 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 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST OBATIN PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
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 60Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2613348 ON 03/07/2025 #55. NOTED BASEMENT SOUTH WALL STAINED WITH SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE AND CHIPPED PAINT, INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE WALL TO A NON-POROUS SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 17, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint
Dec 9, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 9, 2025 · Original Source
License
Mar 7, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
3 recorded violations
notedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED NO PROTECTIVE SHIELDING TO COVER LIGHTS IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERS OR USE SHATTERPROOF BULBS AND MAINTAIN PROOF THAT LIGHT BULBS ARE SHATTERPROOF ON SITE.
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 3Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BLANK COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO MAINTAIN SIGNED COPIES AS PROOF OF ACKNOWLEDGEMNT OF POLICY AGREEMENT ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
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 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
NOTED BASEMENT SOUTH WALL STAINED WITH SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE AND CHIPPED PAINT, INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE WALL TO A NON-POROUS SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE 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, Mar 7, 2025 · Original Source