Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Cuckoo

Name: Cuckoo
Address: 5143 N Clark St, Chicago, IL

5143 N Clark St

Last inspected Jan 29, 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

3 inspections

Canvass

Jan 29, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

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

NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS FOOD STORED INSIDE TIN CANS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

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 CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT.

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, Jan 29, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 29, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA AND IN REAR OUTSIDE STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE 6" OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF 2 DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD ACCUMULATION IN REAR (OUTSIDE) STORAGE 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 problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN KITCHEN HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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

NOTED FAUCET NECK AT (RIGHT) PREP SINK BEHIND FRONT PREP COUNTER IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO FIX.

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 EXCESSIVE DRIED LEAVES AND LITTER IN THE REAR OUTSIDE AREA BY THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 29, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 6, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DRIED FOOD SPILLAGE AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP/COOKING/DISHWASHING AREA ESPECIALLY UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK

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 FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS (PREP COOLER, REACH-IN COOLER, FREEZERS, DEEP CHICKEN COOLERS) WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION, SIDES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT (STOVE, FRYERS, MICROWAVE OVEN), INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, PREP TABLE, STORAGE RACKS, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL CLEANING BOTTLES WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DIRT DEBRIS.

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE SHELVES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER SERVICE.

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, Mar 6, 2024 · Original Source