Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Sawa Sushi

Name: Sawa Sushi
Address: 3417 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL

3417 S Halsted St

Last inspected Jun 25, 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

4 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 25, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK ACROSS FROM THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

3-305.12: OBSERVED CONTAINERS AND BUCKETS OF FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE FOOD ITEMS FROM FLOOR 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

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15: OBSERVED A LEAKING FROM THE PIPE UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR, SUSHI PREP AREA. WATER PROFUSELY LEAKING INTO A BUCKET OF DIRTY DISHES STORED UNDER SINK. INSTRUCTED 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 problems

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORD 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 25, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 9, 2026

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK ACROSS FROM THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CONTAINERS AND BUCKETS OF FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE FOOD ITEMS FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A LEAKING FROM THE PIPE UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR, SUSHI PREP AREA. WATER PROFUSELY LEAKING INTO A BUCKET OF DIRTY DISHES STORED UNDER SINK. INSTRUCTED 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 problems

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORD 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 issues

notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2626735, DATE:11/06/2025, NOT CORRECTED. #16: INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE HAS A PINKISH SUBSTANCE ON THE WHITE PANEL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. #47: THE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER PAINT HAS WORN OFF AND THE SURFACE IS RUSTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. #55: WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN. - Repeat #55: FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE SINKS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. - Repeat INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CORRECT THE ABOVE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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 9, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 6, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE HAS A PINKISH SUBSTANCE ON THE WHITE PANEL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON THE COUNTER TOPS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER 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 problems

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO WASH AND SANITIZE SCOOP AND STORE EITHER HANDLE UP IN THE ICE OR IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. MAINTAIN SAME.

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

THE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER PAINT HAS WORN OFF AND THE SURFACE IS RUSTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE 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 problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES 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 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 9, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED A HEAVY LEAK UNDER THE HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

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 ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS BETWEEN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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, May 9, 2024 · Original Source