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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Chicago Waffles Ls

4768 N Lincoln Ave

Last inspected Oct 8, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

7 inspections

Canvass

Oct 8, 2025

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 8, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

11 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

THE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 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 issues
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

NOTED THE ELECTRIC FLY ELIMINATOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA/DISH AREA, MUST BE REMOVED.

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

NOTED A BEARDED COOK WITHOUT A BEARD RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL BEARDED FOOD PREPARERS.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE FOOD SCOOPS WITH HANDLES INVERTED FROM THE BULK FOODS.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IE:UNDER THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AND BASEMENT, MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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

MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN.----MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD TO ELEVATE THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST BE A CLEANABLE, NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL.

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

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DISH WASHING MACHINE WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP. 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 problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

ALL UNUSED COOLERS IN THE BASEMENT MUST BE CLEAN AND OPERATIONAL OR REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SOME FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.

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, Oct 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 19, 2024

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 19, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER AND DETAIL CLEAN INTERIORS OF COOLERS.

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

INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILE NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE WOMENS WASHROOM 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.

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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Nov 4, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 4, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 21, 2023

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE THREE-3 REFRIGERATION UNITS IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE ACCURATE,WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE MENTIONED COOLERS.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES NOT LOCATED AT COFFEE/ESPRESSO MACHINE.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

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 problems
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR/EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE DISHMACHINE IN KITCHEN PREP AREA AND INTERIOR LIQUOR/KEG COOLER AT FRONT AREA AND DETAIL CLEAN LIQUOR STORAGE SHELFS IN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM.

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 DIRTY FLOOR AT BAR UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL 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, Dec 21, 2023 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Dec 13, 2023

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 13, 2023 · Original Source

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