Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Habanero

Name: Habanero
Address: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago, IL

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz

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

4 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE REAR PREP COOLER. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED THERMOMETER DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS CONTAINING TCS ITEMS.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF BULK ITEMS SUCH AS RICE AND BEANS NOT LABELLED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH 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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2611931 DATED 2/7/2025: #57 "OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR TWO FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS." #58 "OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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

notedCode 61Other

Official wording

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2611931 DATED 2/7/2025. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR 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, Feb 18, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 7, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE POSTED IN MEN OR WOMEN'S WASHROOMS USED BY EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.

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

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES IN FRONT AND MIDDLE PREP AREAS OF FACILITY. OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT PREP AREAS IN FRONT OF COLD HOLDING UNIT AND MIDDLE PREP AREA BETWEEN COLD HOLDING UNIT, THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REGROUT IN BETWEEN FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY 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

OBSERVED NON WORKING LEFT LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR NON WORKING LEFT LIGHT IN HOOD TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR TWO FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS

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 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS.

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, Feb 7, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 12, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS IN THE REAR LINE COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES FOR COLD-HOLDING: EGG AT 45.1F, SAUSAGE AT 48.1F, BEEF AT 50.2F. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED ALL FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES ON-SITE. APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS. VALUED APPROXIMATELY $75.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE REAR LINE COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING OF TCS FOODS WITH INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.2F. OBSERVED FRONT REACH-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD HOLDING, PERSON-IN-CHARGE AWARE OF COOLER IN POOR REPAIR AND REMOVED TCS FOODS PRIOR TO INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TCS FOOD ITEMS AND CEASE USE OF REAR LINE COOLER TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE REMOVED ALL TCS FOOD FROM REAR LINE COOLER AT TIME OF INSPECTION. TAGGED REAR LINE AND FRONT REACH-IN COOLERS FOR INSPECTION ON-SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IN-USE KNIFE STORED IN-BETWEEN COUNTER EQUIPMENT AT THE REAR PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE KNIFE FROM BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND STORE IN-USE UTENSILS ON A CLEAN, SANITIZED SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO LINE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL FROM NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES (INTERIOR CAVITY) OF REAR LINE COOLER TO BE SOILED WITH DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL 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

OBSERVED GAPS BETWEEN TILES ON FLOOR OF FACILITY SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL 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, Jun 12, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 6, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

Improper cooling method for cooked black beans, beans container covered tightly during cooling down, instructed to cover loosely to facilitate cooling down process.