Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Chinese Kitchen

5316 N Milwaukee Ave

Last inspected Oct 14, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Chinese Kitchen last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 14, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass w/ Conditions”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 3 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 5 inspections on record, from Oct 18, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026.
Has Chinese Kitchen ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Oct 18, 2023.

The Full Inspection History

5 inspections

Complaint

Oct 14, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official Wording

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED REAR DOOR LEADING OUTSIDE WITH 1/2 INCH GAP IN BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL DOOR.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK REACH A MAXIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 105 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK HAS A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 110 F AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER TURNED UP WATER HEATER. 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 60Other

Official Wording

Previous core violation corrected

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED. REPORT#2630819 DATED FEBRUARY 4 2026 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO #47 REPLACE DEEPLY STAINED AND SCRATCHED CUTTING BOARDS, #57 PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL NON-MANAGERIAL FOOD EMPLOYEES, AND TO #58 PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING TO ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS, OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE, OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN ( EXPIRED 2022). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ADDRESS ALL PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. MANAGER DISCARDED CUTTING BOARD AND QUICKLY TOOK FOOD ALLERGEN COURSE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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, Oct 14, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 4, 2026

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON COUNTER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

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

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.

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 CEILING TILES MISSING ABOVE WALK IN COOLER INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE 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

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON FILTERS ABOVE HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL NON-FOOD SERVICE MANAGER FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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, Feb 4, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 24, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 24, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 10, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official Wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED FISH BEING THAWED IN BOWL OF WATER NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO THAW EITHER IN REFRIGERATOR OR UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER.

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 BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS ON CAN OPENER ATTACHED TO PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 BUILD UP OF GREASE AND GRIME ON HOOD FILTERS AND PIPES IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED T TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 10, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 18, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official Wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND BULK FOOD CONTAINERS WITH NO LABELING.(FLOUR,SUGAR,ETC.)MUST LABEL.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 18, 2023 · Original Source