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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

Mar 18, 2025 — Complaint inspection

Fail

Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

Dead roaches found near bulk ingredients; dishwasher not sanitizing; multiple food safety violations from previous inspection still not corrected.

Key Findings

  • Dead roaches observed on floor near bulk dry ingredient containers in food prep area.
  • Low-temperature dishwasher had zero chlorine sanitizer and was shut down; manager called for maintenance.
  • Food handler rinsed hands in service sink instead of handwashing sink.
  • Employee washed dishes in three-compartment sink without proper wash, rinse, and sanitize setup; whole duck thawed improperly in service sink.

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 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE AQUARIUM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS.

Violation code #16 — FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE (NOT IN USE) NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY SANITIZING. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR MAINTENANCE PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025, NO CITATION ISSUED

Viewing inspection from Mar 18, 2025 · Show current spotlight →

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 — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

3 violations
Jun 9, 2026Pass

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

4 violations
Standout inspection
Jun 2, 2026Fail

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

6 violations
Jul 8, 2025Pass

Short Form Complaint — A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

1 violation
Jun 10, 2025Pass

Short Form Complaint — A shorter, targeted check prompted by a public complaint.

1 violation
Standout inspection
Mar 27, 2025Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

4 violations
Mar 18, 2025FailVIEWING NOW

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

8 violations
Jun 20, 2024Pass

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

8 violations
Jun 18, 2024Fail

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

9 violations
Standout inspection
Jun 11, 2024Fail

Canvass — A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

11 violations
Feb 2, 2023Pass

Complaint Re-Inspection — A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

3 violations
Standout inspection
Jan 26, 2023Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

13 violations