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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Half Sour

755 S Clark St

Last inspected Apr 28, 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

Apr 28, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, AND COOLERS. 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 FOOD DEBRIS IN DRAINS UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 FOOD DEBRIS UNDER DISH MACHINE AGAINST WALL, INSTRUCTED 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 28, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 15, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN BASEMENT RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY EQUIPMENTS AND CONTAINER BEING PLACED IN FRONT OF IT PREVENTING THE USE OF THE HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). 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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP LAYING ON TOP OF SHIELF IN BASEMENT BY ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP ABOVE ICE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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

NO SPLASH GUARD ON THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PARTITIONER TO SEPARATE SINK FROM WHERE THE DISHES ARE STORED TO DRY. MAINTAIN SAME.

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 RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND SINKS IN THE BASEMENT, PREP AND BAR AREAS WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT. -WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD SPLATTER, DIRT AND DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS IN THE PREP 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 15, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 15, 2024

Fail

10 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PIC ON SITE WITH A VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE ON SITE WITH A VALID CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. 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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO CHICAGO CFM ON SITE WHILE PREPARING/SERVING OF TCS FOODS (I.E. BEEF, CHICKEN, DAIRY, ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN PREPARING/SERVING OF TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 VIOLATION 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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

KNIVES STORED IN BETWEEN COOLER AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ON A KNIFE RACK OR CLEAN BIN/CONTAINER. MAINTAIN SAME.

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

ICE BINS IN THE BAR AREA HAS NO COVERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERS 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

LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE 1ST FL PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAKS AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

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

MOPS STORED IN THE MOP BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP FOR PROPER AIR DRYING. MAINTAIN SAME.

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

VENTILATION ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2579760, DATED 08/08/2024 NOT CORRECTED AND/OR MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: #16- 4-602.11 OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE STAINS OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS. OBSERVED MINOR ACCUMULATED DEBRIS INSIDE OF THE SODA GUN HOLDER BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. #40- 2-402.11 OBSERVED A MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT AND A MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A BEARD GUARD AND HAIR NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HAIR IN HAIR RESTRAINT, PROVIDE BEARD GUARDS AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. #45- 4-904.11 OBSERVED PLATES NOT INVERTED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL TABLEWARE IN ORDER TO PROTECT FROM POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. #58- 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE PERSON IN CHARGE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 VIOLATION 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 15, 2024 · Original Source

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