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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Popeye's Chicken

2556 S California Ave

Last inspected Jun 26, 2025 · 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

3 inspections

Canvass

Jun 26, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

6 recorded violations

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

THE REAR REACH IN THE FREEZER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS 48.4F. INSTRUCTED PIC TO REMOVE THE TCS FOODS (ITEMS WERE 40.2-41.4F) AND RELOCATE ITEMS TO COLD HOLDING UNITS IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST HAVE UNIT SERVICED AND FIXED TO WHERE IT HOLDS AN AMBIENT FREEZING TEMPERATURE. THE UNIT WAS TAGGED AND CAN NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY A CDPH INSPECTOR. 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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE HANDLING FOOD/IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ANYONE IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS AND/OR HANDLING FOOD TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS.

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

LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE REAR HAND WASHING SINK AND AT BOTH FAUCETS ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX LEAKS AND MAINTAIN GOOD PLUMBING.

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

FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER THE FRYERS AND COOLERS WITH GREASE, FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.

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, Jun 26, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 22, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED A FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A PROPER HAIR RESTRAINT SUCH AS A CAP OR A HAIR NET. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 22, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 15, 2024

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15(A:1) OBSERVED TCS FOODS (COOKED CHICKEN) AT INADEQUATE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES LOCATED IN A HOT HOLDING UNIT AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER; OBSERVED ABOUT 15 LBS OF COOKED CHICKEN RANGING FROM 120F-122F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL HOT HOLDING TCS FOODS AT 135F OR ABOVE AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER DISCARDED SAID TCS FOOD DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

4-301.11 OBSERVED THE COOKED CHICKEN HOT HOLDING UNIT, WITH COOKED CHICKEN BEING STORED ON THE UNIT, ONLY MAINTAINING 96F-126F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN 135F AT ALL TIMES. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MAY NOT BE USED. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 10 LIVE LARGE FLIES FLYING AROUND THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE LARGE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED A FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A PROPER HAIR RESTRAINT SUCH AS A CAP OR A HAIR NET. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED THE FEMALE TOILET ROOM HAND WASHING SINK HOT WATER SHUT OFF DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS LEAVE THE HOT WATER TURNED ON FOR ADEQUATE HAND WASHING AFTER USE OF THE TOILET ROOM. MANAGER TURNED THE HOT WATER ON AT THE TOILET ROOM HAND WASHING DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 15, 2024 · Original Source

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