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Happy Cafe Of Chicago, Inc: health inspection history

2351 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

An inspection is a dated snapshot of what an inspector observed on one day. It is not a guarantee of current conditions. Labels and scores below are the Chicago Department of Public Health's own terms; see how to read them.

Address: 2351 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Also known as: Happy Cafe
Facility type: Restaurant
Risk category: Risk 1 (High)
Latest result: Pass on May 7, 2026
License number: 2575269
Latest inspection: May 7, 2026 (Canvass)
Records shown: 6 inspections, Jun 3, 2022 to May 7, 2026

Across these 6 inspection records, results were: 5 × Pass; 1 × Fail. 37 violations were listed in total.

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Inspection history

May 7, 2026 Canvass

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: OBSERVED THE DOOR SWEEP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR IN POOR REPARI; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A NEW DOOR SWEEP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR.
41.WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STOREDInspector comment: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLE NOT IN USE; INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. CORRECTED ON SITE.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN PREP TABLES, INTERIOR OF FREEZER AND SHELVES INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE CEILING VENTS IN DINING AREA TO REMOVE DUST AND THE VENT FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST.
56.ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USEDInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR AREA OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE.
57.ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAININGInspector comment: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.

May 6, 2025 Canvass

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

40.PERSONAL CLEANLINESSInspector comment: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
41.WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STOREDInspector comment: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD ITEMSSTORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE COOLERS FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, SURROUNDING FLOORS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN IN WALK-IN COOLER, LIGHT SHIELDS IN COOKING AREA AND CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED…

Jan 17, 2024 Canvass Re-Inspection

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: 3-302.12: OBSERVED THREE CONTAINERS OF FOOD ITEMS NOT LABELED UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS ON ALL FOOD ITEMS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGE AND MAINTAIN.
39.CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAYInspector comment: 3-305.12: OBSERVED POTATOES AND ONIONS STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE PIPES OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD ITEMS AND REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ITEMS UNDER PIPES OF EQUIPMENT.
44.UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLEDInspector comment: 4-904.11: OBSERVED CLEAN PLATES STORED UNDER ON THE EXPEDITOR TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT WITH FOOD RESIDUE AND NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID PLATES IN ORDER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATING THE PLATES.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DRIED UP LIQUID SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS.

Jan 10, 2024 Canvass

Result: FailRisk 1 (High)

21.PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURESInspector comment: OBSERVED COOKED PORK STORED AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE A 27 GALLON TOTE STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE PORK WAS 87.8F. MANAGER DENATURED AND DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 200LBS AT $450 WORTH PRODUCT. MUST COMPLY WITH THE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT OF 135F OR ABOVE AND INSIDE ADEQUATE HOT HOLDING UNITS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY…
22.PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURESInspector comment: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. OBSERVED RAW PORK IN A 27 GALLON TOTE ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AT 67.5F. ALSO OBSERVED PORK (49.7-50.7F), 10 EGGS (51.2F), CHICKEN GARLIC (48.9F) STORED INSIDE A PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. MANAGER DISCARDED APPROX. 10 LBS AT $40 PRODUCT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS…
37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: OBSERVED THREE CONTAINERS OF FOOD ITEMS NOT LABELED UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS ON ALL FOOD ITEMS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGE AND MAINTAIN.
39.CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAYInspector comment: OBSERVED POTATOES AND ONIONS STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE PIPES OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD ITEMS AND REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ITEMS UNDER PIPES OF EQUIPMENT.
44.UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLEDInspector comment: OBSERVED CLEAN PLATES STORED UNDER ON THE EXPEDITOR TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT WITH FOOD RESIDUE AND NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID PLATES IN ORDER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATING THE PLATES.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND DRIED UP LIQUID SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS.
60.PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTEDInspector comment: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 04/03/2023, REPORT #2573571 #49: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN A SMALL UPPER AREA OF THE ICE MACHINE BEHIND FRONT SERVING COUNTER AND MAINTAIN. #49: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT EXTERIOR SURFACES (WOK AREA, FRYER, STEAMER) INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #55: THE FLOORS AND WALL AROUND AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN…

Apr 3, 2023 Canvass

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN A SMALL UPPER AREA OF THE ICE MACHINE BEHIND FRONT SERVING COUNTER AND MAINTAIN.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON COOKING EQUIPMENT EXTERIOR SURFACES (WOK AREA, FRYER, STEAMER) INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: THE FLOORS AND WALL AROUND AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT NEED CLEANING; CLEAN FLOOR AND WALL. ALSO CLEAN THE VENTILATION FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.

Jun 3, 2022 Canvass

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: ALL BULK FOOD ITEMS IN NEED OF PROPER LABELING WITH NAME OF PRODUCT. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
39.CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAYInspector comment: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
41.WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STOREDInspector comment: SPONGES MUST BE CHANGED OFTEN. SPONGES TEND TO HOLD BACTERIA. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
43.IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STOREDInspector comment: ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED LOCATION, SCOOP MUST NOT BE STORED IN RICE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: CUTTING BOARDS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: CAN OPENER IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD BUILD UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: ALL DOOR HANDLES TO REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: ALL STORAGE SHELVES IN WALK IN AND REACH IN COOLER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
53.TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANEDInspector comment: GARBAGE RECEPTICLE IN WASHROOM IN NEED OF COVER. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN COVERED.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPLATTER AND BUILD UP. FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLESANING UNDER AND AROUND ALL EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56.ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USEDInspector comment: AIR VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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See all inspected establishments in ZIP 60616 or the Chicago overview.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), Food Protection Program, “Food Inspections” dataset on the official open data portal. Source data as of Nov 3, 2026; imported by FoodCheck USA on Nov 5, 2026. Report a problem with this record.