Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Happy Cafe Of Chicago, Inc

Name: Happy Cafe Of Chicago, Inc
Address: 2351 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL

2351 S Wentworth Ave

Last inspected May 7, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

May 7, 2026

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE DOOR SWEEP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR IN POOR REPARI; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A NEW DOOR SWEEP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLE NOT IN USE; INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. CORRECTED ON SITE.

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 PREP TABLES, INTERIOR OF FREEZER AND SHELVES INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER 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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE CEILING VENTS IN DINING AREA TO REMOVE DUST AND THE VENT FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST.

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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR AREA OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE.

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 EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 7, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 6, 2025

Pass

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD ITEMSSTORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE COOLERS FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.

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 GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, SURROUNDING FLOORS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

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 GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER, LIGHT SHIELDS IN COOKING AREA AND CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FANS, LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING/WALL VENTS.

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 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 17, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-305.12: OBSERVED POTATOES AND ONIONS STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE PIPES OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD ITEMS AND REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ITEMS UNDER PIPES OF EQUIPMENT.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DRIED UP LIQUID SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12: OBSERVED THREE CONTAINERS OF FOOD ITEMS NOT LABELED UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS ON ALL FOOD ITEMS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGE AND MAINTAIN.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-904.11: OBSERVED CLEAN PLATES STORED UNDER ON THE EXPEDITOR TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT WITH FOOD RESIDUE AND NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID PLATES IN ORDER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATING THE PLATES.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 17, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 10, 2024

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COOKED PORK STORED AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE A 27 GALLON TOTE STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE PORK WAS 87.8F. MANAGER DENATURED AND DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 200LBS AT $450 WORTH PRODUCT. MUST COMPLY WITH THE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT OF 135F OR ABOVE AND INSIDE ADEQUATE HOT HOLDING UNITS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY 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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 04/03/2023, REPORT #2573571 #49: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN A SMALL UPPER AREA OF THE ICE MACHINE BEHIND FRONT SERVING COUNTER AND MAINTAIN. #49: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT EXTERIOR SURFACES (WOK AREA, FRYER, STEAMER) INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #55: THE FLOORS AND WALL AROUND AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN FLOOR AND WALL.ALSO CLEAN THE VENTILATION FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. OBSERVED RAW PORK IN A 27 GALLON TOTE ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AT 67.5F. ALSO OBSERVED PORK (49.7-50.7F), 10 EGGS (51.2F), CHICKEN GARLIC (48.9F) STORED INSIDE A PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. MANAGER DISCARDED APPROX. 10 LBS AT $40 PRODUCT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. APPROX. 10 LBS AT $40 PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #21

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THREE CONTAINERS OF FOOD ITEMS NOT LABELED UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS ON ALL FOOD ITEMS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGE AND MAINTAIN.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED POTATOES AND ONIONS STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE PIPES OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD ITEMS AND REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ITEMS UNDER PIPES OF EQUIPMENT.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLEAN PLATES STORED UNDER ON THE EXPEDITOR TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT WITH FOOD RESIDUE AND NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID PLATES IN ORDER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATING THE PLATES.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DRIED UP LIQUID SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS.

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 10, 2024 · Original Source