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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Gaijin

950 W Lake St

Last inspected Jun 3, 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

8 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 3, 2026

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 27, 2026

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS (BEEF, RICE, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OVER 20 LIVE FLIES NOTED SCATTERED IN VARIOUS AREA: IN BAR AREA, ON WALLS NEAR UTILITY SINK, AND WAREWASHING UNIT. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A) PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

PRE SET TABLEWARE ON DINING TABLES NOT WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED, INSTD TO COVER AND INVERT OR Preset TABLEWARE may be exposed if: (1) Unused settings are removed when a CONSUMER is seated; or (2) Settings not removed when a CONSUMER is seated are cleaned and SANITIZED before further use.

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

FLOOR DRAINS UNDER REAR WAREWASHING UNIT WITH EXCESSIVE DEBRIS, ORGANIC MATTER. INSTD TO DETAIL CLEAN DRAINS 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, May 27, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 9, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 9, 2025 · Original Source

License

Sep 9, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 9, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 24, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

1 recorded violation

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED: The LOW-TEMPERATURE DISHWASING MACHINE IN USE IS NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY SANITIZED AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM. MANAGER SERVICED UNIT DURING INSPECTION. NOW SANITIZING AT 50PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

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, Apr 24, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Sep 19, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

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

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 18, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15 OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDES A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PESTS ' ENTRY.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-101.19 OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

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

6-501.12 OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 18, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 11, 2024

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDES A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PESTS ' ENTRY.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE SPILLED ON TOP OF CONTAINER, WALL OF BUILDING, AND GROUND AT GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OUTSIDE WASTE GREASE AREA AND WASTE GREASE CONTAINER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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 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 IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 11, 2024 · Original Source

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