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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.

Stella's Diner

Restaurant

3042 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

Lakeview

Jul 9, 2026 — Complaint re-inspection

Fail

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

Inspector found over 50 trapped roaches and live cockroaches throughout kitchen and dining areas.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

  • Over 50 dead roaches and roach carcasses discovered on monitor traps and under kitchen equipment, cold units, dish machine, and dining room booths.
  • Six live cockroaches found in prep, dish, and storage areas during re-inspection; previous pest violation from June not corrected, now classified as priority violation requiring immediate correction.
  • Quarter-inch gaps at main floor rear exit and basement exit doors allow pest entry; must seal all outer openings.
  • Previous violations from April still not corrected: walk-in freezer door in disrepair, cold holding gaskets encrusted with food debris, heavy grease buildup on cooking equipment and throughout kitchen, and accumulated grease and food debris on floors throughout facility.

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:

6-501.112: **C** Removing Dead or Trapped Birds, Insects, Rodents and other Pests OBSERVED OVER 50 TRAPPED ROACHES ON MONITOR TRAPS AND ROACH CARCASSES IN KITCHEN UNDER COLD AND HOT HOLDING UNITS, UNDER 2COMP SINK, LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE, EQUIPMENT STORAGE RACKS AND NEAR FRONT COOLER UNIT. UNDER BOOTHS THROUGHOUT DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ROACH CARCASSES.

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

OBSERVED PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN SPECIFIED TIME FRAME ON THE INSPECTION REPORT2639087 DATED 6/26/26 38# OBSERVED 2 LIVE ROACHES IN FACILITY, INCLUDING IN DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN. NOTED DURING RE-INSPECTION: OBSERVED 6 LIVE COCKROACHES IN PREP, DISH AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT THE VIOLATION SHALL NOW BE CLASSIFIED AS A PRIORITY ITEM DUE TO PREVIOUS NONCOMPLIANCE. MUST CORRECT BEFORE RE-INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Inspection History

Stella's Diner has had 15 inspections in the last 5 years with a 57% pass rate. Last inspection was on Aug 19, 2026.

Aug 19, 2026Out of Business

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

Jul 22, 2026Pass

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

Standout inspection
Jul 9, 2026FailVIEWING NOW

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

8 violations