Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Fontano Foods

Name: Fontano Foods
Address: 1058 W Polk St, Chicago, IL

1058 W Polk St

Last inspected Jul 30, 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

Jul 30, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES AT THE TOP RAIL OF THE SANDWICH PREP COOLER. TUNA AT 51.0F AND SLICED TOMATOES AT 48.0F. ALL DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 5LBS $50 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY. INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

MISSING SPLASHGUARD INBETWEEN HANDWASH SINK AND PREP TABLE (IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO EACH OTHER) IN FRONT SANDWICH PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE SPLASHGUARD AND MAINTAIN

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

CARDBOARD LINING ON BOTTOM SHELVES OF TABLES IN WAREWASHING AREA. ALUMINUM FOIL ON WINDOW SILL AND IN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF CONTAINER TO STORE SQUEEZE BOTTLES IN COOLER. INSTD TO REMOVE CARDBOARD LINING AND ALUMINUM FOIL SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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

HANDWASH SINK IN WAREWASHING AREA SLOW DRAINING. INSTD TO 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 problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 30, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 25, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

NO CLEAN UP SUPPLIES WERE PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO A VOMIT OR DIARRHEAL EVENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER LABELING OF PREPACKAGED POPCORN AND OIL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL PREPACKAGED FOODS WITH AN INGREDIENT LIST, NET CONTENTS AND NAME AND ADDRESS OF PLACE OF MANUFACTURE.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALLS OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WHERE THE OVEN IS LOCATED.

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

INADEQUATE LIGHTING PROVIDED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AND DRY STORAGE ARE WHERE THE OVEN IS LOCATED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN ALL AREAS WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED.

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

notedCode 61Other

Official wording

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

Inspector’s notes

NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES IN PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN THE PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). 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, Jul 25, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 11, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A;C) OBSERVED A SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLE STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND STORE IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A;C) OBSERVED A SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLE STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND STORE IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR.

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 11, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 8, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

"OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. "

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 9Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOOD (SLICING CHEESE AND LUNCHMEAT) WITH BARE HAND. FOOD EMPLOYEES MAY NOT CONTACT EXPOSED, READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS AND SHALL USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS, TONGS, SINGLE-USE GLOVES, OR DISPENSING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

"NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 50F AT DELI COLD HOLDING UNIT. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLE STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND STORE IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR.