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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Karol's

4813 W Harrison St

Last inspected Aug 12, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

5 inspections

Canvass

Aug 12, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY 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.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 1/4" GAP AT BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, SHELVING UNITS, COOLERS, FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.

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 HANDWASHING SINK SLOW DRAINING AND LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN HANDWASHING AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS.

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 EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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 GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2628810 ON 12-18-25:58- OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN ALLERGENT CERTIFICATE ON SITE. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 12, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 4, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 4, 2026 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Dec 18, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON RESTROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE AND RETAIN ON SITE.

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 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN ALLERGENT CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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, Dec 18, 2025 · Original Source

License

Sep 18, 2025

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE WITH FOODSERVICE MANAGER TRAINING.

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

OBSERVED NO VALID ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE VALID ORIGINAL SANITATION CERTIFICATE AS WELL AS CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OPBSERVED THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH WASTEWATER BACK UP. WASTEWATER BACKS UP INTO MIDDLE COMPARTMENT WHEN SINK IS DRAINED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN GREASE TRAP TO PREVENT WASTEWATER BACK UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-025.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON RESTROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE AND RETAIN ON SITE.

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 ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN ALLERGENT CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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, Sep 18, 2025 · Original Source

License

Sep 4, 2025

Not Ready

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 4, 2025 · Original Source

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