IsTheKitchenClean?
Home·Blog·About·Contact

Inspections by Neighborhood

  • Lincoln Park
  • Lakeview
  • West Loop
  • Gold Coast
  • Old Town
  • Wrigleyville
  • River North
  • Wicker Park
  • Logan Square
  • Bucktown
  • Fulton Market
  • Streeterville
  • The Loop
  • Andersonville
  • Pilsen
  • Hyde Park
  • Chinatown
  • North Side
  • Northwest Side
  • West Side
  • South Loop
  • South Side
  • Southwest Side
  • Far South Side

Inspections by Violation

  • Rodents
  • Roaches
  • Mold
  • Sewage
  • Temperature
  • Chemical
  • Expired Food
  • Sanitation

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.

Dirksen Elementary School

School

8601 W Foster (5200n) Ave, Chicago, IL 60656

Sep 18, 2026 — Canvass inspection

Fail

A routine, unannounced visit by a city health inspector.

Rodent droppings found in Pre-K classroom; hot water system failed and food held at unsafe temperatures.

Key Findings

  • Three rodent droppings discovered in Pre-K classroom 120; pest control service recommended.
  • Kitchen staff bathrooms had no hot water, reaching only 68°F instead of required minimum 100°F.
  • Cheese sticks held at 122°F, below the 135°F requirement for hot foods; manager reheated to 165°F during inspection.
  • Dead insects found throughout Pre-K hallway leading to playground; debris buildup observed in student changing room.

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

Was this report useful? Get an alert when this restaurant fails again, tell people what happened to you, or send the link to someone.

Be specific. Keep it to what you saw or experienced.

Loading discussion...

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

OBSERVED 3 RODENT DROPPINGS IN PRE-K CLASSROOM 120. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. PEST CONTROL SERVICE RECOMMENDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).

Violation code #10 — ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED NO HOT WATER IN KITCHEN STAFF BATHROOMS. MAXIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE RECORDED AT 68 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100 F IS PROVIDED. TO ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

Viewing inspection from Sep 18, 2026 · Show current spotlight →

Inspection History

Dirksen Elementary School has had 7 inspections in the last 5 years with a 71% pass rate. Last inspection was on Sep 22, 2026.

Sep 22, 2026Pass

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

1 violation
Sep 18, 2026FailVIEWING NOW

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

5 violations
Sep 9, 2025Conditional

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

4 violations