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Inspections by Violation

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IsTheKitchenClean displays publicly available food inspection data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Trending rankings and summaries are automated interpretations of that data and are not official health department assessments. Inspection findings reflect conditions at a specific point in time and may not represent current conditions at a restaurant.

China Cafe

Restaurant

2300-2302 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Chinatown

Jun 11, 2024 โ€” Canvass inspection

Fail

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

Inspectors found approximately 45 mice droppings and 20 rat droppings throughout the kitchen, including on food prep surfaces and ingredient containers.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

  • Extensive rodent infestation with droppings found on food prep tables, dry ingredient lids, and under cooking equipment in the dim sum area.
  • Previous violations from February 2023 were not corrected, including filthy floors and walls under kitchen equipment, plus mold-like substance on dim sum kitchen walls.
  • No certified food manager present on-site with original City of Chicago certificate during operating hours.
  • Multiple surfaces throughout the facility require deep cleaning, including cold holding unit gaskets, microwave interiors, deep fryers, and employee toilet facilities.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

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Violation code #38 โ€” INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 45 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS AND ABOUT 20 RAT DROPPINGS ON SITE. THE FOLLOWING SURFACES AND FLOORS WITH THE RODENT DROPPINGS: THE FLOORS IN THE DIM SUM AREA UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THE SHELVING UNITS, ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE, ON THE LIDS OF DRY INGREDIENTS, ON THE PLASTIC WRAP OF A FOOD ITEM ON THE LOWER SHELF OF THE SHELVING UNIT IN THE MENTIONED AREA, ON THE BOXES UNDER THE SHELVING UNIT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP/SERVICE AREA. THE RAT DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED UNDER THE OPENINGS OF THE SERVICE COUNTERS AND THE FLOORS UNDER THE EQUIPMENT STORED NEAR THE SIDE ENTRANCE OF THE FOOD PREP AREA INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED

Violation code #60 โ€” PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 02/02/2023, REPORT #2570639 #55: THE FLOORS AND WALLS NEED DETAIL CLEANING UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. #56: THE VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING; MUST CLEAN VENTS. OBSERVED MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE WALLS IN THE DIM SUM KITCHEN POSSIBLY DUE TO THE STEAMER; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE; CLEAN WALLS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED

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Inspection History

China Cafe has had 12 inspections in the last 5 years with a 58% pass rate. Last inspection was on Jul 27, 2026.

Jul 27, 2026Pass

Complaint โ€” Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

3 violations
Jun 9, 2026Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

4 violations
Standout inspection
Jun 2, 2026Fail

Canvass โ€” A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

6 violations
Jul 8, 2025Pass

Short Form Complaint โ€” A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

1 violation
Jun 10, 2025Pass

Short Form Complaint โ€” A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

1 violation
Standout inspection
Mar 27, 2025Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

4 violations
Mar 18, 2025Fail

Complaint โ€” Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

8 violations
Jun 20, 2024Pass

Canvass Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

8 violations
Jun 18, 2024Fail

Canvass Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm violations from a routine visit were fixed.

9 violations
Standout inspection
Jun 11, 2024FailVIEWING NOW

Canvass โ€” A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

11 violations
Feb 2, 2023Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection โ€” A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

3 violations
Standout inspection
Jan 26, 2023Fail

Complaint โ€” Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

13 violations