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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Irene's

2012 W Irving Park Rd

Last inspected Feb 9, 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

6 inspections

Canvass

Feb 9, 2026

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED VARIOUS TYPES OF SMALL TRASH ITEMS AND PIECES OF CLOTHING ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH FAR LEFT DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SMALL TRASH ITEMS FROM UNDERNEATH DUMPSTER 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, Feb 9, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Sep 18, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ALL COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT ON-SITE MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL EQUIPMENT USED TO COLD-HOLD TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PHYSICAL BARRIER PROVIDED BETWEEN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA (FRONT BAR AREA) AND CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL BARRIER OR OTHER ADEQUATE MEANS OF PREVENTING PERSONS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATIONS FROM ACCESSING FOOD PREPARATION AREAS OR POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION OF FOOD OR EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 50Other

Official wording

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT HOT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN HOT WATER SUPPLY OF ADEQUATE QUANTITY AND AVAILABILITY TO ALL PLUMBING FIXTURES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) NO 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO GREASE WASTE DISPOSAL RECEPTACLE PROVIDED FOR RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE EXTERIOR GREASE WASTE DISPOSAL RECEPTABLE THAT IS COLLECTED AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO REMOVE GREASE WASTE FROM FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(B) NO 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 CEILING IN THE BASEMENT AREA TO BE MISSING IN PARTS AND/OR NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE IN ALL AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CEILINGS, FLOORS, AND WALLS IN ALL FOOD PREPARATION OR FOOD STORAGE AREAS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 18, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Mar 5, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 5, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Jun 5, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 5, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Mar 7, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DOOR LEADING TO KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS WITH PEELING PAINT. RESTORE SURFACE TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE 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, Mar 7, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 28, 2024

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK UNDER SCRAPE SINK AT DISHWAHER AND HANDSINK IN REAR CLOSEST TO COOKING LINE. OBSERVED PLUMBING LEAK IN BASEMENT AT HOT WATER HEATER. 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 problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DOOR LEADING TO KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS WITH PEELING PAINT. RESTORE SURFACE TO A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE 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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT 6/23/23 REPORT # 2577730 INCLUDING #51 OBSERVED NO SINK FOR DISCARDING LIQUIDS AT FRONT COUNTER WHERE BEVERAGES ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST INSTALL SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. #56 OBSERVED ELECTRIC OVEN (12.5 KW) IN REAR PREP NOT UNDER HOOD. MUST INSTALL UNDER HOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COOLER NOT MAINTAINING 41F OR LESS. COOLER WAS EMPTY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. COOLER WAS TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005 COOLER TAGGED

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 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 2 COOLERS ON COOKING LINE WITHOUT THERMOMETERS INSIDE. INSTALL 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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SPLASH GUARDS NEEDED ON REAR HANDINKS NEAR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. ONE HANDINK IS NEXT TO A FLOOR STANDING MIXER. INSTALL SPLASH GUARD ON LEFT SIDE OF SINK TO PROTECT MIXER FROM CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED 2ND HAND SINK NEXT TO A PREP TABLE. INSTALL SPLASH GUARD ON RIGHT SIDE OF SINK TO PROTECT ADJACENT PREP TABLE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 28, 2024 · Original Source

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