Complaint Re-Inspection
Sep 30, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 30, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Hoots Of South Loop, Inc.
1238 S Canal St
Last inspected Sep 30, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
6 inspectionsComplaint
Mar 23, 2026
Pass w/ Conditions
6 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS NOT PROVIDED AT THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AND MAINTAIN AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS TO FRONT PREPARATION AREA HANDWASHING SINK ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. 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 problemsnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN THE WAREWASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIR, NOT PROVIDING SANITIZER DURING FINAL RINSE. FACILITY STAFF AWARE OF ISSUE PRIOR TO INSPECTOR ARRIVAL AND PLACED SIGNAGE ON MACHINE INSTRUCTING STAFF NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND ABLE TO PROVIDE CHLORINE SANITIZER FINAL RINSE CONCENTRATION BETWEEN 50 PPM AND 200 PPM. TAGGED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTACT CDPH FOR RE-INSPECTION ONCE MACHINE IS REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND PRIOR TO USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025 NO 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 problemsnotedCode 33Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TCS FOOD ITEM (BUTTERMILK BATTER) IN BULK STORAGE CONTAINER STORED TIGHTLY-COVERED BY FOOD CONTAINER LID WHILE COOLING IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO COOL TCS FOOD ITEMS USING APPROVED COOLING METHODS SUCH AS LEAVING FOOD ITEMS LOOSELY-COVERED/UNCOVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.
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 temperaturenotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
FRYER LEAKING CAUSING GREASE/OIL ON FLOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR 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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING, WRAPPED WITH TAPE. 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
CRACKED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH FRYERS AND NEXT TO UTILITY SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR TILES.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 23, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Jan 13, 2026
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
FRYER LEAKING CAUSING GREASE/OIL ON FLOOR. INSTD TO REPAIR 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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING, WRAPPED WITH TAPE. 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
CRACKED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDERNEATH FRYERS AND NEXT TO UTILITY SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR TILES.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 13, 2026 · Original Source
Short Form Complaint
Apr 14, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 14, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint
Feb 27, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
2 recorded violations
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. THE SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNIT UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (CDPH). TAGGED UNIT. 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FAN COVER HANGING OPEN IN CEILING OF EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. MUST REPAIR 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 27, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 15, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
2 recorded violations
notedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 60 LBS OF CHICKEN AT 47.5F AND 2 LBS OF SHRIMP AT 48.2F. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 62LBS AT $160. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
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 temperaturenotedCode 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 REAR 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 15, 2024 · Original Source