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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.

Tony's Finer Foods

Grocery

5233 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

North Side

Sep 30, 2026 — Complaint inspection

Fail

Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

Hot chicken sandwiches stored at dangerously low temperatures; cold foods above safe range; flying insects found throughout prep areas.

Key Findings

  • Chicken sandwiches and nuggets held at 110-114°F instead of required 135°F or above, creating food poisoning risk.
  • Approximately 25 live flying insects observed in bakery prep area, behind meat coolers, and near produce—pest control needed.
  • Ceviche at 55°F and caesar salad at 51°F in salad bar cooler, both above the 41°F maximum for cold foods.
  • Self-serve salad bar cooler running at 51°F; needs repair to reach safe temperature below 41°F.

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 #21 — PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED CHICKEN SANDWICHES AND CHICKEN NUGGETS AT 110-114F AT THE PACKAGED HOT FOOD DISPLAY UNIT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HOT TCS FOODS ABOVE 135F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Violation code #22 — PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
Inspector's Notes:

OBSERVED CEVICHE AT 55F AND CAESAR SALAD AT 51F AT THE SELF-SERVE SALAD BAR COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #21 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Viewing inspection from Sep 30, 2026 · Show current spotlight →

Inspection History

Tony's Finer Foods has had 12 inspections in the last 5 years with a 83% pass rate. Last inspection was on Oct 13, 2026.

Oct 13, 2026Pass

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

1 violation
Oct 7, 2026Pass

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

1 violation
Sep 30, 2026FailVIEWING NOW

Complaint — Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

10 violations