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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Lyfe Kitchen

259 E Erie St

Last inspected Feb 3, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.

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Out of Business

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

Feb 3, 2025

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 3, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 8, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET AND BROKEN PLASTIC CURTAIN WALK-IN COOLER AND EWALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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, Jan 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 30, 2024

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MENU WITH A FOOTNOTE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU NOTED MISSING DISCLOSURE BY ASTERICKS FOR RELATED MENU ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS (EX: AHI TUNA POKE BOWL AND BURGERS ON MENU). INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS"(REFER TO ONLINE CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE). 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET AND BROKEN PLASTIC CURTAIN WALK-IN COOLER AND EWALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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, Dec 30, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Feb 16, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15: OBSERVED HANDSINK NOT WORKING IN MEN'S WASHROOM RIGHT SIDE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID HANDSINK IN MEN'S WASHROOM. NOTE THERE IS ANOTHER HANDSINK IN WASHROOM.

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

6-501.12: OBSERVED FOOD AND DEBRIS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT IN BARISTA AREA AND UNDERNEATH COLD AND HOT HOLDING UNITS ACROSS FROM COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-303.11: OBSERVED NON WORKING LIGHT BULBS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL NON WORKING LIGHT BULBS IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF DOUBLE ENTRANCE DOORS ON EASTSIDE OF ONTARIO. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 16, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Feb 14, 2024

Fail

10 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF DOUBLE ENTRANCE DOORS ON EASTSIDE OF ONTARIO. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON RIGHT SIDE OF HANDWASHING SINK IN BARISTA AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SPLASH GUARD ON RIGHT SIDE OF HANDWASHING SINK IN BARISTA AREA TO PREVENT 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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SMALL CUPS USED TO DISPENSE NUTS STORED IN CONTAINER ON TOP OF NUTS IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE DISPENSING UTENSILS WITH THEIR HANDLES ABOVE THE TOP OF THE FOOD WITHIN THE CONTAINER OF EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE CLOSED.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDSINKS NOT WORKING IN MEN'S WASHROOM RIGHT SIDE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID HANDSINK IN MEN'S WASHROOM. NOTE THERE IS ANOTHER HANDSINK IN WASHROOM.

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 FOOD AND DEBRIS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT IN BARISTA AREA AND UNDERNEATH COLD AND HOT HOLDING UNITS ACROSS FROM COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING IN DISHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR AND IN AREAS OF 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS 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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LID IN HANDWASHING SINK OF DISHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED HANDWASHING SINKS SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEE USE. CORRECTED ON SITE, LID REMOVED FROM SAID HANDWASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) 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 problems
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THREE LARGE WHITE CONTAINERS UNDERNEATH PREP AREA ON 2ND FLOOR NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD, CONDIMENTS AND SPICES NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS SHALL BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TURNED OFF TO FAUCET ON LEFT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK USED TO FILL WASH COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/RESTORE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TO WASH COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SO THAT WASH COMPARTMENT CAN BE FILLED. INSTRUCTED A SINK WITH AT LEAST THREE COMPARTMENTS SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR MANUALLY WASHING, RINISING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NON WORKING LIGHT BULBS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL NON WORKING LIGHT BULBS IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2575513 DATED 05/08/2023. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED. OBSERVED ONE OF TWO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

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, Feb 14, 2024 · Original Source

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