GOOD INFORMATION. BETTER PEACE OF MIND.Español · Always free. No signup required.

Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Serai

2342 N Clark St

Last inspected Apr 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Serai has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

No account needed. Unsubscribe at any time.

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

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 21, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

: 2-402.11--- ALL FOOD HANDLERS AND FOOD PREPARERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR AND BEARD RESTRAINTS.

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

4-602.13--- NOTED THE EXTERIOR METAL SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREAS WITH PEELING PLASTIC USED AS A PROTECTANT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL.

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

6-201.11----NOTED AN EXPOSED RAW BRICK WALL WITH OPEN CRACKS, CREVICES NEXT THE TOILET IN THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13--- NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.

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, Apr 21, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 14, 2026

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 14, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 13, 2026

Fail

15 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. 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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORT ON THE PREMISES. SERVICE CONTRACT ON PREMISES DATED 5-1-25. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A LICENSED PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.

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

ALL FOOD HANDLERS AND FOOD PREPARERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR AND BEARD RESTRAINTS.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

ALL CLEAN STORED BOWLS/PANS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE MOP SINK ROOM AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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

MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD BOXES AS STORAGE CONTAINERS FOR FOOD ITEMS IN THE KITCHEN DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING. MUST BE WASHABLE CONTAINER.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO MONITOR SANITIZATION OF UTENSIL AND EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. MANAGER PROVIDED THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY ON COMPLETION OF INSPECTION ON 4-14-25. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED THE EXTERIOR METAL SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREAS WITH PEELING PLASTIC USED AS A PROTECTANT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL.----RAW WOODEN FLOOR PLATFORM AT THE COOKS LINE GRILL MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PILED CARDBOARD ON THE REAR OUTDOOR PATIO AREA AND MAINTAIN CLEAN, FREE OF DEBRIS INCLUDING UNUSED PREP TABLES.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE FRONT PREP HAND WASHING SINK DIRTY.-----WALL INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH EXCESSIVE RUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----NOTED AN EXPOSED RAW BRICK WALL WITH OPEN CRACKS, CREVICES NEXT THE TOILET IN THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MUST SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

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

EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE THE FOOD PREP AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED STORAGE AREA IN A NON-FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT AREA.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.

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 61Other

Official wording

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

Inspector’s notes

NO SUMMARY REPORT POSTED ON THE PREMISES IN VIEW OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CUSTOMERS FROM REPORT #2616987 POSTED ON 5-6-25. GIVEN TODAY'S SUMMARY REPORT AND POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B) 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, Apr 13, 2026 · Original Source

License

May 6, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2025 · Original Source

License

Apr 3, 2025

Not Ready

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

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

More restaurants nearby