License Re-Inspection
May 14, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 14, 2025 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Lemon Chicago
1600 W Grand Ave
Last inspected May 14, 2025 · 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
7 inspectionsCanvass Re-Inspection
May 14, 2025
Pass
6 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
3-302.12 : MUST LABEL SMALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AT BAR AREA WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
6-202.15 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAPS AT FRONT ENTRY DOOR ALONG TOP AND BOTTOM SIDES,DJ BOOTH DOOR ALONG BOTTOM,STAGE DOOR EAST ACROSS THE TOP,STAGE DOOR WEST ALONG BOTTOM,PATIO DOOR ALONG BOTTOM MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
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 insectsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
3-305.11 : MUST ELEVATE BOXES OFF OF FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER.
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 contaminationnotedCode 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
4-903.11 (A;B;D) : MUST INVERT LARGE BOWLS ON PREP TABLE.
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 issuesnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
4-501.12 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SOME WORN SEAMS & DEEP GROOVES ON CUTTING BOARDS
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
6-501.13 : MUST REMOVE STANDING WATER ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT NEAR CHEMICAL STORAGE SHELF AND WALK IN COOLER.MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR DRAINS AT BAR AREA AND STICKS SUBSTANCE FROM FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
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, May 14, 2025 · Original Source
License
May 6, 2025
Fail
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
May 6, 2025
Fail
7 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
MUST LABEL SMALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AT BAR AREA WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE GAPS AT FRONT ENTRY DOOR ALONG TOP AND BOTTOM SIDES,DJ BOOTH DOOR ALONG BOTTOM,STAGE DOOR EAST ACROSS THE TOP,STAGE DOOR WEST ALONG BOTTOM,PATIO DOOR ALONG BOTTOM MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
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 insectsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
MUST ELEVATE BOXES OFF OF FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER.
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 contaminationnotedCode 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
MUST INVERT LARGE BOWLS ON PREP TABLE.
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 issuesnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SOME WORN SEAMS & DEEP GROOVES ON CUTTING BOARDS.
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 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE GAUGE COCK NOT ABLE TO DISPLAY FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE ON DISPLAY SCREEN.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE DISH-MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO USE 3-COMPATRMENT SINK FOR SANITIZING GLASSES. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(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
MUST PROVIDE A HOOKING SYSTEM TO HANG UP WET MOPS AT MOPSINK.
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, May 6, 2025 · Original Source
License
Apr 22, 2025
Not Ready
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 22, 2025 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
Nov 3, 2023
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 3, 2023 · Original Source
License
Oct 24, 2023
Fail
3 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO WASHBOWL SINK IN NORTHERN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL WASHBOWL PROPERLY SUPPLIED WITH PAPER TOWELS AND SOAP AND CAPABLE OF DELIVERING HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER PRESSURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO 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 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO TOILET IN SOUTHERN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). 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 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MEASURE HOT WATER SANITIZING AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 24, 2023 · Original Source