Canvass Re-Inspection
Nov 6, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 6, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Cleo's Southern Cuisine
4248 S Cottage Grove Ave
Last inspected Nov 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
- When was Cleo's Southern Cuisine last inspected?
- The most recent inspection on record was on Nov 6, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
- Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
- No. No violations were recorded at the most recent inspection.
- How many inspections are on record?
- 5 inspections on record, from Sep 29, 2023 to Nov 6, 2026.
- Has Cleo's Southern Cuisine ever been closed by the health department?
- No closure appears in the 5 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Sep 29, 2023.
The Full Inspection History
5 inspectionsCanvass
Oct 23, 2026
Fail
3 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE. SINK WAS OBSTRUCTED BY A UTILITY STORAGER RACK. INSTRUCTED THAT SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AND MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). 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 40Employee health and hygiene
Official Wording
Personal cleanliness
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
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 issuesnotedCode 45Equipment and utensils
Official Wording
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR IN FRONT PREP COUNTER AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 23, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass
Mar 21, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
5 recorded violations
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official Wording
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
Inspector’s Notes
MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
MUST CLEAN THE DRY STORAGE SHELVING AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE BULK STORAGE CONTAINER TO REMOVE 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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNER BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT 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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official Wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED THE HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT DIRTY. MUST CLEAN TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.
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 60Other
Official Wording
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION (#58 : ALLERGEN TRAINING) NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2590388 DATE 3/1/24. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED THE PIC/ CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
In Plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 21, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Mar 1, 2024
Pass
4 recorded violations
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
MUST CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS 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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official Wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED THE PIC/ CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW.
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 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS AND FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AREA TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS, AND INSIDE THE RIF DEFROST AND CLEAN.
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 56Facility maintenance
Official Wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 1, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
Sep 29, 2023
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s Notes
NO HANDWASHING SIGN IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. CORRECTED ON SITE.
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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official Wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s Notes
THE HOT WATER FAUCET KNOB AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA IS IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR KNOB.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS AND FLOORS AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED (3 COMP SINK AND FURNACE CLOSET).
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 29, 2023 · Original Source