License
Sep 29, 2026
Fail
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 29, 2026 · Original Source
Grocery Store · Chicago, IL
Trader Joe's Store #884
804 W Montrose Ave
Last inspected Sep 29, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Fail
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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 inspectionsLicense
Sep 29, 2026
Fail
14 recorded violations
notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO 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 issuesnotedCode 5Other
Official wording
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
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.
More about handwashing problemsnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT CHEMICAL SANITIZERS NEEDED TO SANITIZER EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. MUST PROVIDE CHEMICAL SANITIZERS AND BE AVAILABLE FOR USE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO 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 problemsnotedCode 22Food temperature
Official wording
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER #1 AT 52F, #2 AT 42F AND WALK-IN FREEZER AT 69F AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES FACILITY STILL IN PROCESS OF INSTALLING SYSTEMS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. NO 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 temperaturenotedCode 33Food temperature
Official wording
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO HOT HOLDING OR COOKING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED FOR SAMPLE KITCHEN INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #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 temperaturenotedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector’s notes
NOTED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF FOODS THE FACILITY MAY RECEIVE DURING DELIVERIES (I.E. PACKAGED DELI MEAT, HOT DOGS ETC.). FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROPER THERMOMETERS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
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 issuesnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT WITHOUT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATOR. ALL RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED ILLINOIS EXTERMINATOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE INSECT AND VERMIN SERVICES AT THE ESTABLISHMENT AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. A LOG BOOK SHALL BE KEPT FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS AND INCLUDE A COPY OF THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY’S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC (IDPH) HEALTH LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(C). NO 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 insectsnotedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED SAMPLING TABLES NOT BUILT TO VARIFIY IF PROTECTION IS PROVIDED, INSTRUCTED TO BUILD SAMPLING TABLES AND INSTALL A SNEEZE GUARD TO ACT AS A BARRIER FROM CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
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 contaminationnotedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER OR FOR WARE WASHING AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO 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 problemsnotedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN ALL-GENDER WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
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 problemsnotedCode 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector’s notes
"OBSERVED NO COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER CONTRACT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED WASTE MANAGEMENT OPERATOR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B). NO CITATION ISSUED."
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 issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. MUST 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 problemsnotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 29, 2026 · Original Source
License
May 28, 2026
Not Ready
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 28, 2026 · Original Source