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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Lotus Cafe & Banh Mi Sandwiches

719 W Maxwell St

Last inspected Jun 30, 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

Jun 30, 2026

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

ICE MACHINE DRAIN LINE IMPROPERLY DRAINING IN HANDWASH SINK. INSTD TO REMOVE DRAIN LINE FROM HANDWASH SINK AND PROPERLY ROUTE DRAIN

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

VENTS AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.

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, Jun 30, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 9, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 9, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 1, 2025

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU FOR FOODS THAT ARE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED (SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS AS A SIDE AND ON SUNNY SIDE BEEF SANDWICH). MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU BOARD AND ORDERING KIOSK. MUST ADD THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 temperature
notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DIRTY DISHES IN THE LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK AND SANITIZER (200 PPM QAC) IN THE RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE USED TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL UTENSILS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 problems
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

THE COLD WATER HANDLE FOR THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK NEXT TO THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE HANDLE.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 1, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 8, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 8, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 1, 2024

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASH SIGN AT FRONT PREP HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.

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

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2574147 ON 4/12/23 WAS NOT CORRECTED: 47 -NOTED THE LEFT DOOR ON THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER LOCATED IN THE FRONT PREP AREA BROKEN. MUST REPAIR/REATTACH THE DOOR TO THE COOLER AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 1, 2024 · Original Source

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