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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

White Castle #53

1400 W 79th St

Last inspected May 1, 2026 · 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

3 inspections

Complaint

May 1, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS LAYING INSIDE ICE BIN ON TOP OF ICE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOP TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

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 MULTIPLE LEAKS AT THE 3 COMP SINK FAUCET FIXTURE. 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

FOUND THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE DEEP FRYER, COOLERS/FREEZERS, SINKS, IN THE BASEMENT AND TOILET ROOMS WITH DEBRIS, FOOD. ALSO THE WALLS AND CEILING AROUND THE COOKING/COOLING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD SPLATTER, DIRT AND DUST. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS, FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILING. MAINTAIN 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 1, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Dec 3, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15 : OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT SOUTH ENTRY DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-201.13 : MUST GROUT FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT, GRILL AND WHERE NEEDED.

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, Dec 3, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 21, 2024

Fail

12 recorded violations

notedCode 8Handwashing

Official wording

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTIES BY BOTH FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS.OBSERVED THEM HANDLING MONEY AND RINGING THE REGISTER, THEN PUTTING ON PLASTIC GLOVES AND HANDLING BUNS AND SAUSAGES WITHOUT WASHING HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.MUST WASH HANDS.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

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 21Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 2.5 OZ. SLOPPY JOE RANGES FROM 80.2F-84.7F IN HOT HOLDING UNITS. PRODUCTS WERE DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER. MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.APPX. 2.5 OZ.$5.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 1 DOZEN SHELLED EGGS AT 62.1F ON COUNTERTOP. 2LBS. 1921 HAMBURGERS AT 47.8F.THE PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY THE MANAGER. MUST HAVE COLD-HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX.3LBS.$24.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION.

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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 1921 HAMBURGER REACH IN COOLER AT 45.7F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNIT. ONCE REPAIRED, EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.MUST HAVE A COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 41.0F OR BELOW. (PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)

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 A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT SOUTH ENTRY DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

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

OBSERVED NO HAIR RESTRAINTS WORN BY FOOD HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 46Other

Official wording

GLOVES USED PROPERLY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GLOVES BEING USED IMPROPERLY DURING FOOD PREPARATION AND HANDLING OF MONEY AT THIS TIME.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN COOLER,SODA STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.

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

MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS & GREASE BUILD UP FROM EXTERIOR OF GARBAGE CANS,CONDIMENT BINS,WIRES AND PLUGS,DISH RACK.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE IN WALL IN BASEMENT UNUSED TOILET ROOMS,OVERHEAD PIPES IN CEILING IN BASEMENT.

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

MUST GROUT FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND GRILL.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2559655 6/22/22 NOT CORRECTED-#37-3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE. #49-4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF FRYER CABINETS, ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS, ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, GRILL TOPS, TRASH CAN,1 & 3- COMP SINK BASINS, MOP SINK BASIN, BOTH SODA MACHINES, STORAGE SHELVES, SERVICE COUNTERS. #55-6-201.11 : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND SPLATTER FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD-UP FROM UPPER WALLS THROUGHOUT #55- 6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER, AROUND, AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES, INCLUDING WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. MUST REMOVE STANDING WATER ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT AND KEEP DRY. #55-6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND BROKEN WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND NEAR WALK-IN COOLER.#55-6-501.114 : MUST ELEVATE, REMOVE, OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN THE BASEMENT.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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, Nov 21, 2024 · Original Source

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