Brightwok Kitchen

21 E Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
Chinese
Last inspected: Jan 29, 2026
82
Score
Low Risk

Brightwok Kitchen appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2025. On Jan 29, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around nine violations to closer to four violations per visit over the last few inspections.

When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.

Brightwok Kitchen's latest score is in line with the Chicago average of 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 29, 2026
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES,SHAKERS,ETC)
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,ROLLING CARTS,DISH RACKS,SINK BASINS,PREP TABLES,EXTERIOR OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, WALK IN COOLER-FAN GUARD COVERS,SHELVING UNITS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL ON BOTH SIDES AT FRONT ENTRY TO PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR AND LOOSE WALL BASES IN HALLWAY LEADING TO REAR PREP AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-501.14 : MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
82
Jan 22, 2026
Routine
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS 11 LBS. COOKED RICE-98.6F-114.6F IN HOT HOLDIMG UNIT.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE. APPX. 11LBS. $6.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
21
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT HOLDING CABINET AT 75.2F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON UNIT.MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE. (PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
33
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 3- DOZEN SHELLED EGGS-49.5F,1LBS. SHREEDED SWEET POTATOS-49.1F IN A PAN AT GRILL . PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPX.4LBS. $30.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION )(COS)
22
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN.RICE,STEAK,EGGS,ETC)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 3:33 P.M.(COS)
2
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2619990 7/2/25 NOT CORRECTED-#47-4-101.19 : OBSERVED RUST ON GREEN SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER AND ON LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE IN MIDDLE OF REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER AND MIDDLE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP, INSTRUCTED NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL.#49-4-601.11(B) : OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.#51-5-205.15 : OBSERVED DRAIN PIPE LEAKING AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA( NEAR WALK IN COOLER). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAIN PIPE OF HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA( NEAR WALK IN COOLER) AND MAINTAIN.#55-6-501.12 : OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN FRONT PREP AREA UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT . INSTRUCTED MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDERNEATH SHELVING AND IN CORNERS IN STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH SHELVING AND IN CORNERS IN STORAGE CLOSET.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)
60
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES,SHAKERS,ETC)
37
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,ROLLING CARTS,DISH RACKS,SINK BASINS,PREP TABLES,EXTERIOR OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, WALK IN COOLER-FAN GUARD COVERS,SHELVING UNITS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL ON BOTH SIDES AT FRONT ENTRY TO PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR AND LOOSE WALL BASES IN HALLWAY LEADING TO REAR PREP AREA.
55
39
Jul 2, 2025
License
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA ACROSS FROM COOKLINE AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 52.2F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA ACROSS FROM COOKLINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED DURING LICENSE INSPECTION(NOTE: CITATION FOR VIOLATION ISSUED DURING CANVASS INSPECTION ON 07/02/2025)
33
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST ON GREEN SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER AND ON LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE IN MIDDLE OF REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN COOLER AND MIDDLE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP, INSTRUCTED NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF A CORROSION RESISTANT, NONABSORBENT AND SMOOTH MATERIAL.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRAIN PIPE LEAKING AT HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA( NEAR WALK IN COOLER). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAIN PIPE OF HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA( NEAR WALK IN COOLER) AND MAINTAIN.
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON GROUND UNDERNEATH AND SURROUNDING GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN GROUND UNDERNEATH AND SURROUNDING GREASE CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON SMOOTH AREA ON PLANK ON WALL ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR PLANK ABOVE WALL ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN FRONT PREP AREA UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT . INSTRUCTED MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDERNEATH SHELVING AND IN CORNERS IN STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH SHELVING AND IN CORNERS IN STORAGE CLOSET.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NON WORKING MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN BOTH ALL GENDER WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OF SUFFICIENT CAPACITY IN BOTH ALL GENDER WASHROOMS.
56
61

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Brightwok Kitchen last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Brightwok Kitchen on file is from Jan 29, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Brightwok Kitchen?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Brightwok Kitchen.

Has Brightwok Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Brightwok Kitchen have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Brightwok Kitchen means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.