Restaurant · Chicago, IL

The Gwen

Name: The Gwen
Address: 520 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

520 N Michigan Ave

Last inspected Jan 15, 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

3 inspections

Canvass

Jan 15, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON LOWER SIDE OF DISHMACHINE DRAINBOARDS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN LOWER SIDE OF DISHMACHINE DRAINBOARDS.

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

DISHWASH AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK RIGHT SIDE COMPARTMENT DRAIN PIPE LEAKING. 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUST/DIRT BUILD UP ON WALLS AT DISHMACHINE ROOM. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT DISHWASH ROOM.

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, Jan 15, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 15, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY CLEAN UP ANY VOMIT OR DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPLIES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. ECLOB TECHNICIAN ON SITE LOW TWMP DISH MACHINE NOW READING 50 PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. 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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

FLY RIBBON TRAP MOUNTED ABOVE PREP AREA, IN REAR PREP, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 DAMAGED MELTED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP BY GRILL AREA AND CEILING TILES WITH RUST THORUGHOUT PREP AND DISH AREA. NOTED CEILING TILES FULL OF DUST IN DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, REPLACE DAMAGED PANELS AND/OR REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.

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, Jan 15, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 22, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

Several food containers not labeled ( salt, sugar...) instructed to label and maintain.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Deli cups not air dried after washing, instructed to air dry all muti-use utensils after washing.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

No sanitizer test strips on site for low temp dish washing machine( chlorine ) instructed manager to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. By the end of inspection manager purchased CL test strips.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

Fly ribbon trap mounted above clean utensils at dish room, instructed to remove.

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Using deli cups as a scoop for bulk food containers, Also plastic disposable spoons used in food preparation, Instructed to use proper utensils.

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, Feb 22, 2024 · Original Source