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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Lotus Banh Mi

166 W Washington St

Last inspected Apr 16, 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

5 inspections

Canvass

Apr 16, 2026

Pass

9 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE WITH COMMON NAME(SQUEEZE BOTTLES, SHAKERS,ETC)

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

MUST PROVIDE A BARRIER AT MOPSINK NEXT TO DISH STORAGE RACK TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LOW HOT WATER PRESSURE AT HAND SINK IN CUSTOMERS TOILET ROOM MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION AT SELF SERVICE STATION FOR CUSTOMERS TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION .

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN FRONT PREP AREA MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON 1- DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.

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

MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLE,STORAGE SHELVES,PREP TABLES,FRYER CABINETS.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED EPOXY FLOORING IN STORAGE AREA/OFFICE,REAR STORAGE AREA,CUSTOMER'S AND STAFF TOILET ROOMS.

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

MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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

MUST PROVIDE MISSING FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

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, Apr 16, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 10, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11: OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL STUFFED WITH ALUMINUM FOIL TO THE RIGHT OF ONE DOOR STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR IN WALKWAY LEADING TO FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLE IN WALL TO THE RIGHT OF ONE DOOR STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR IN WALKWAY LEADING TO FRONT PREP AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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, Nov 10, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 4, 2025

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 51.8-57.7F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, CHOPPED ROMAINE(51.8F), SLICED TOMATOES(53.2F) AND BEAN SPROUTS(57.7F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $25 WEIGHING 4LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 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 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO ASTERISK ON MENU IDENTIFYING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER, OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING ANIMAL DERIVED FOOD WITH AN ASTERISK IS SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND OBSERVED NO REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENU. INSTRUCTED TO ADD ASTERISK TO MENU IDENTIFYING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS AS BEING SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER, INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND INSTRUCTED TO ADD REMINDER STATEMENT TO MENU STATING CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MEATS, POULTRY, SEAFOOD, SHELLFISH OR EGGS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO COUNTER TOP COLD HOLDING UNITS IN FRONT PREP AREA AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 49.8-53.2F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAGS PLACED ON TWO COUNTER TOP COLD HOLDING UNITS IN FRONT PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL STUFFED WITH ALUMINUM FOIL TO THE RIGHT OF ONE DOOR STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR IN WALKWAY LEADING TO FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL HOLE IN WALL TO THE RIGHT OF ONE DOOR STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR IN WALKWAY LEADING TO FRONT PREP AREA FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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, Nov 4, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 16, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A SLOW DRAINAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED 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 problems
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS UNDERNEATH THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA.

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, Dec 16, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 3, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LOW WATER PRESSURE FOR HOT WATER IN THE EMPLOYEE RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED 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 problems
notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSEREVED SINGLE SERVICE TRAYS STORED FACING UP AT THE SERVING LINE. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TRAYS AND PLASTIC BOWLS TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.

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 ICE BUILD UP AT THE BOTTOM OF REACH-IN FREEZER IN THE REAR STORAGE ROOM/OFFICE. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST ICE, CLEAN, 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, Apr 3, 2024 · Original Source

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