Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Northern Taste

Name: Northern Taste
Address: 3409 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL

3409 S Halsted St

Last inspected Jul 23, 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

6 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 23, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15: OBSERVED A SMALL OPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF MENTIONED DOORS AND MAINTAIN.

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

3-305.12: OBSERVED FROZEN FOOD ITEMS STORED IN GROVERY BAGS FOR STORAGE INSIDE THE FREEZER UNITS IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 23, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 20, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A SMALL OPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF MENTIONED DOORS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE THE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER.FOUND A CONTAINER OF RAW SHRIMP IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AT 62.3F. ALSO FOUND PORK BELLY (51.3F-52.0F), RAW SHRIMP (49.9F), FRIED AND RAW TOFU (51.3F-53.0F). APPROXIMATELY 10LBS AT $78 DISCARDED. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A PREP COOLER UNIT CLOSESTS TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE PREP AREA AT IMPROPER COLD HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 53.3F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST REACH AND MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. UNIT TAGGED AND SHALL NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CDPH. SEE COMMENTS FOR TAG REMOVAL. PRIORIRTY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO BULK DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS OF RICE IN THE BASEMENT NOT COVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 20, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 14, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE REACH IN FREEZERS WITH ICE BUILD UP, FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE LOWER SURFACE OF ALL FREEZERS.

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

FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN PREP AND STORAGE AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT.

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 14, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 21, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B) NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-302.12 OBSERVED SEVERAL LARGE FOOD CONTAINERS WITH DRY PRODUCTS. (RICE, FLOUR) WITHOUT PROPER COMMON FOOD NAME MARKINGS. MUST LABEL BULK AND WORKING FOOD CONTAINERS WITH CONTENTS COMMON NAME. MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.12 CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.

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

5-501.17 NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN TWO STOOLS IN LADY'S BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOMS RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN LADY'S BATHROOM.

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

6-501.13 OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT AND NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES 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, Nov 21, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Nov 19, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Oct 2, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-201.11 FOUND CONDENSER LOCATED IN WALK IN COOLER LEAKING. MUST REPAIR 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, Oct 2, 2023 · Original Source