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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Vela

352 W Hubbard St

Last inspected Nov 6, 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

6 inspections

Complaint

Nov 6, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER.OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN AT 55.9F, COOKED BEEF AND CHEESE MIX AT 48.6F, COOKED BEANS AT 57.7F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 6#'S OF FOOD WORTH $50.00.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY 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 temperature
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOUBLE DOORS LEADING TO THE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS WITH GAPS/OPENINGS APPROX 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM OF DOORS.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

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, Nov 6, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Nov 3, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

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

Canvass

Mar 24, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 11Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED COMMERICALLY PACKAGED FRUIT WITH NO FOOD LABEL. OBSERVED COMMERICALLY PACKAGED GOOSEBERRIES AND CUT UP PINEAPPLES IN SAUCE WITH NO FOOD LABEL. INSTRUCTED COMMERICALLY PACKAGED FOOD SHALL BE LABELED AS SPECIFIED IN LAW. CORRECTED ON SITE COMMERICALLY PACKAGED FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED(WEIGHT 4LBS/ VALUED $40) BY FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCCOKED, COOKED TO ORDER OR CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCCOKED INGREDIENTS. CORRECTED ON SITE FACILITY ADDED ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ON MENU THAT ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED, COOKED TO ORDER OR CONTAIN RAW OR UNDER COOKED INGREDIENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 temperature
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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

OBSERVED STOPPER OF WASH COMPARTMENT LEAKING WHEN COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING STOPPER OF WASH COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

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, Mar 24, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Mar 10, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 10, 2025 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Jun 14, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.19: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHELL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS.

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

6-304.11: OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSTALLED IN WASHROOM AREA(INDIVIDUAL STALLS OR WASHROOM AREA AS A UNIT). INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN WASHROOM 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 14, 2024 · Original Source

License

Jun 13, 2024

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TWO MISSING HANDWASHING SINKS IN COMMON AREA OF WASHROOM AREA FOR CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS WHO USE TWO STALLS WITH NO HANDWASHING SINKS IN INTERIOR OF STALL. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HANDWASHING SINKS IN COMMON AREA OF WASHROOM FOR CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS WHO USE TWO STALLS WITH NO HANDWASHING SINKS IN INTERIOR OF STALL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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 problems
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHELL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON TWO WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM STALL DOORS.

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

OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSTALLED IN WASHROOM AREA(INDIVIDUAL STALLS OR WASHROOM AREA AS A UNIT). INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN WASHROOM 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 13, 2024 · Original Source

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