More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
Quick Answers
When was Smart From The Start last inspected?
The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 26, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?
Yes: 2 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?
7 inspections on record, from Dec 21, 2023 to Oct 26, 2026.
Has Smart From The Start ever been closed by the health department?
No closure appears in the 7 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Dec 21, 2023.
The Full Inspection History
7 inspections
Canvass
Oct 26, 2026
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 10Handwashing
Official Wording
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE IN KITCHEN AND IN CLASSROOM A SIGN OR POSTER THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS SHALL BE PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
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.
OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
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.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 26, 2026 · Original Source
License
Dec 23, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 23, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Nov 4, 2025
Pass
1 recorded violation
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official Wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED BASE COLUMN OF WALL IN HALLWAY NEAR STAFF TOILET TO BE DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AREA SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
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.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 4, 2025 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
Jan 11, 2024
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 11, 2024 · Original Source
License
Jan 8, 2024
Fail
6 recorded violations
notedCode 33Food temperature
Official Wording
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 55.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER AT 41F OR BELOW. PREP COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY 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.
OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND THE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED THE 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.
OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF SUGAR, RICE AND CEREAL NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORGINAL CONTAINER.
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.
OBSERVED GAP AT LEFTSIDE BOTTOM OF FRONT EXIT OUTER 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.
OBSERVED SOILED BASES OF WALL, FLOORS AND CORNERS ON BOTH SIDES OF OVEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SOILED FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED DUSTY CEILING VENT COVER IN ORANGE CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED 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.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 8, 2024 · Original Source
License Re-Inspection
Dec 22, 2023
Fail
5 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official Wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s Notes
3-302.12: OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF SUGAR, RICE AND CEREAL NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORGINAL CONTAINER.
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.
6-501.12: OBSERVED SOILED BASES OF WALL, FLOORS AND CORNERS ON BOTH SIDES OF OVEN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SOILED FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
6-501.14: OBSERVED DUSTY CEILING VENT COVER IN ORANGE CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED 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.
6-202.15: OBSERVED GAP AT LEFTSIDE BOTTOM OF FRONT EXIT OUTER 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.
8-404.13(B:4): OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2569270 DATED 01/06/2023 NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED OBSERVED NO LIGHTING IN PANTRY IN KITCHEN. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
In Plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 22, 2023 · Original Source
License
Dec 21, 2023
Fail
8 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official Wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF SUGAR, RICE AND CEREAL NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORGINAL CONTAINER.
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.
OBSERVED HOT RUNNING WATER AT IMPROPER MINIMUM TEMPERATURE. WATER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 59.2-96.3F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HOT RUNNING WATER AT OR ABOVE 110F AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND AT OR ABOVE 100F AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED HOT WATER GENERATION SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE PEAK HOT WATER DEMANDS THROUGHOUT THE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. CORRECTED ON SITE HOT WATER THROUGHOUT FACILITY RESTORED BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED.
In Plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
OBSERVED MISSING CEILING VENT COVER IN ORANGE CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING CEILING VENT COVER IN ORANGE CLASSROOM AND MAINTAIN.
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.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED DUSTY CEILING VENT COVER IN ORANGE CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED 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.
OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 50.2-59.9F, MILK(50.2F), TURKEY(50.5F), YOGURT(50.9F), CHEESE CUBES(59.9F), SHREDDED CHEESE(53.1F), AMERICAN CHEESE(51.1F) AND CREAM CHEESE(52.2F). INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD VALUED AT $167 WEIGHING 60LBS. 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.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Inspector’s Notes
OBSERVED TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN USED TO HOLD COLD TCS FOODS AT AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 55.8F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR. 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.
OBSERVED GAP AT LEFTSIDE BOTTOM OF FRONT EXIT OUTER 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.
OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2569270 DATED 01/06/2023 NOT CORRECTED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED OBSERVED NO LIGHTING IN PANTRY IN KITCHEN. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
In Plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.