Non-Inspection
Jun 1, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 1, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Lotus Restaurant
814-816 E 79th St
Last inspected Jun 1, 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
7 inspectionsComplaint
Jul 9, 2025
Pass
4 recorded violations
notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES, SHELVING UNITS, COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO 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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE AND WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 9, 2025 · Original Source
Complaint
Jul 2, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 2, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 2, 2025
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK CONTAINERS, COOLERS, FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN FRONT COUNTER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN/ORGANIZE ALL AREAS.
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, Jun 2, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Apr 23, 2024
Pass
7 recorded violations
notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE FEMALE CFM NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND HANDLING FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AND MAINTAIN.
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. 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 problemsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLERS ALL WITH RUST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE RUST FROM RACKS OR REPLACE RACKS. MAINTAIN A RUST FREE SURFACE.
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
OBSERVED THE WALLS AROUND THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS WITH FOOD AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS.
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 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURE TAKING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE.
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 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN BULK CONTAINERS.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE CHEST FREEZER WITH WITH ICE BUILD UP AND THE LOWER SURFACE WITH FOOD AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ICE BUILD UP, CLEAN THE LOWER 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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 23, 2024 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Mar 18, 2024
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 18, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Sep 27, 2023
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
2-102.13: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING 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 issuesnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
3-307.11: OBSERVED BOWLS STORED INSIDE OF DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS NEAR THE MOP SINK AREA. INSTRUCTED TO USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES TO TRANSFER FOOD ITEMS.
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 contaminationOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 27, 2023 · Original Source