Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Chop Suey Kitchen

Name: Chop Suey Kitchen
Address: 5353 W Madison St, Chicago, IL

5353 W Madison St

Last inspected Feb 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Feb 18, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP/STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT STORED INSIDE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT FROM UTILITY SINK, RE-WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT AND PROPERLY STORE IN SANITARY MANNER.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS, HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE SPILLS AND DEBRIS ON WALLS AND FLOORS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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

notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2610509 ON 1-14-25:57- OBSERVED 3 FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 18, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 14, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

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 SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR REVIEW DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE FOR REVIEW. 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 issues

notedCode 8Handwashing

Official wording

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER PREPARING FOOD AT THE WOK, SNEEZING, WIPING HIS NOSE, AND THEN RETURNING TO USING A SPATULA AND PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS. HANDS MUST BE WASHED AFTER ANY POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED,

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.

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 2-DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD UNIT ATTACHED WITHOUT THERMOMETER INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED TOWELS STORED THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SANITIZER BUCKET WITH SOLUTION @ 50 PPM.

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 HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN PREP ALONG THE WOK PREP STATION, INCLUDING FRYERS, ALL COOLING UNITS, AND PREP TABLES WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT FREE OF ACCUMULATION.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDSWASHING SINK IN PREP/DISHWASHER SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT , UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ALONG SIDES WHERE RICE COOKERS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 3 FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

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, Jan 14, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Dec 30, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 30, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 31, 2023

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FACILITY NOT MEETING THAWING REQUIREMENTS. FOOD HANDLER THAWING FROZEN SHRIMP IN THREE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK SITTING IN STAGNANT WATER. INFORMED FOOD HANDLER OF PROPER THAWING METHODS ( MUST UTILIZE RUNNING WATER WITH ENOUGH VOLATILITY WHEN THAWING). MUST MEET PROPER THAWING REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

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 temperature

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED VEGETABLES STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE 2 DOOR COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.

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 THE SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF DUST, GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND INSECT 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS SUCH AS DIRT, DUST, GREASE, FOOD SPLATTER AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE HOT FOOD SERVICE LINE UNDER AND AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND NON COOKING EQUIPMENT. 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 31, 2023 · Original Source