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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 Doll

Restaurant

1246 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610

Old Town

Sep 21, 2022 — Complaint re-inspection

Fail

A follow-up to confirm complaint-related violations were fixed.

Severe pest infestation not corrected from prior violation: 25 rodent droppings and 16 live roaches found in food prep areas.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

  • Approximately 25 rodent droppings in basement and 16 live roaches observed in prep area near prep tables and coolers—a repeat violation from September 2022 that was never fixed.
  • Rodent poison pellets stored improperly in basement where food is prepared, creating a food contamination hazard.
  • Two cutting boards in prep area heavily grooved and stained; knives stored unsafely in gap between sink and wall.
  • Cracks in baseboards and wall tiles throughout prep and dish areas; grease and food debris buildup behind cook line equipment; dust accumulation on ceiling vents.

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 #59 — PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2563645 DATED 9/14/2022: #38 "OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE: OBSERVED 14 RODENT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT NEAR SUMP PUMP AND ANOTHER 20 DROPPINGS BEHIND BOX FREEZERS ALSO IN BASEMENT. ADDITIONALLY OBSERVED 2 LIVE ROACHES IN CUSTOMER RESTROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS AND LIVE ROACHES, RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES FREE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED." OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 RODENT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT AND 16 LIVE ROACHES IN PREP AREA NEAR PREP TABLE, 1 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Violation code #28 — TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED 2 CONTAINERS OF RODENT POISON PELLETS IN BASMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF POISONOUS AND TOXIC MATERIALS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Viewing inspection from Sep 21, 2022 · Show current spotlight →

Inspection History

China Doll has had 17 inspections in the last 5 years with a 53% pass rate. Last inspection was on Jun 12, 2026.

Jun 12, 2026Pass

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

Standout inspection
Jun 11, 2026Fail

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

14 violations
Dec 11, 2025Pass

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

6 violations
Standout inspection
Nov 24, 2025Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

12 violations
Jul 14, 2025Pass

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

2 violations
Standout inspection
Jul 7, 2025Fail

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

15 violations
Jan 14, 2025Pass

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

Standout inspection
Jan 7, 2025Fail

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

6 violations
May 6, 2024Conditional

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

6 violations
Standout inspection
Apr 29, 2024Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

11 violations
Standout inspection
Jan 4, 2024Conditional

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

13 violations
Jan 18, 2023Pass

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

8 violations
Sep 30, 2022Conditional

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

1 violation
Standout inspection
Sep 21, 2022FailVIEWING NOW

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

8 violations
Standout inspection
Sep 14, 2022Fail

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

9 violations
Nov 24, 2021Pass

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

1 violation
Oct 27, 2021Fail

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

2 violations