Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Nathan's Chicago Style

Name: Nathan's Chicago Style
Address: 1372 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL

1372 E 53rd St

Last inspected Sep 22, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass

Get the Next Inspection, Free.

We'll email you when Nathan's Chicago Style has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

Own this restaurant? Add an Inspection Badge to Your Website · Inspection Prep Checklist

More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Nathan's Chicago Style last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Sep 22, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 4 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 6 inspections on record, from Mar 19, 2024 to Sep 22, 2026.
Has Nathan's Chicago Style ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 6 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Mar 19, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

6 inspections

Canvass

Sep 22, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATORS IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

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 FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, HOLDING UNITS, AND SHELVING UNITS.

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 36Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector’s Notes

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 FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, HOLDING UNITS, AND SHELVING UNITS.

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, Sep 22, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 24, 2025

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 24, 2025 · Original Source

License

Oct 24, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official Wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGN AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

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.

Official Wording

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

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS TO PROTECT FROM 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 MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, HOLDING UNITS, SHELVING UNITS, COOLERS AND 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT AND ORGANIZE BASEMENT 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, Oct 24, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 6, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 6Employee health and hygiene

Official Wording

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED OPEN CUP OF BEVERAGE ON COUNTER IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLOSED LID CONTAINERS FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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 issues

notedCode 39Contamination

Official Wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED BOXES OF FRIES STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

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

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED MISSING VENTILATION FAN COVER INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE FAN COVER 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 60Other

Official Wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s Notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2608614 ON 12-6024:57-OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE FOR COOKS EXPIRED. MUST UPDATE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED

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, Jun 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 6, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE FOR COOKS EXPIRED. MUST UPDATE 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

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED TO REMOVE GREASE.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED THE WASHROOM FIXTURES DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTIAN.

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

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON THE MENU SIGN AND CEILING TILE ABOVE THE PREP AREA. MUST 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, Dec 6, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 19, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE 3 COMP SINK. MUST 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN FREEZER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

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, Mar 19, 2024 · Original Source