Cleo's Southern Cuisine
Last inspected: Nov 25, 2025
78
Score
Public records show six inspections at Cleo's Southern Cuisine stretching back to 2022. Cleo's Southern Cuisine was last inspected on Nov 25, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
Across the inspection history, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Cleo's Southern Cuisine's 78 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 25, 2025
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SFLOOR UNDER THE HOT COOKING EQUIPMENTS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Nov 17, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 90LBS OF FISH AT 45.2-48.9FF, 20LBS OF CHICKEN AT 47.8F AND 24LBS OF CRAB AT 45-47.4F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 134LBS AT $1300. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
22
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICIES BY MALE FOOD HANDLER OBSERVED HIM WITH CELL PHONE IN HAND FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN PUT PHONE IN POCKET AND PLACED ON PLASTIC GLOVES TO PREPARE A FOOD ORDER WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS. AND SAME EMPLOYEE KEPT BEEN ON THE PHONE AND PUTTING ON GLOVES WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
8
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREAP AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY BOX BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE.
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED (SUCH AS FISH,CHICKEN). INSTRUCTED MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPPED/SERVED. INSTRUCTED MUST POST A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATION IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO KIT ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHLORINE OR QUATS SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN PREP/DISWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSOAP AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SFLOOR UNDER THE HOT COOKING EQUIPMENTS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
32
May 14, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: No hand paper towels provided to kitchen hand wash sink, instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c).
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: Obstructed hand wash sink at prep kitchen, utensils, knives, scouring pads and cutting board placed on top of hands sink, instructed manager to keep hand sink free from any obstruction. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(C).
10
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: No drain boards provided to 3-comp sink, instructed to install.
48
78
Jun 27, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 20, 2023
Routine
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN-UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE PROPERLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR, AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER OR WARE WASHING AREA. AN INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2563323 CONDUCTED ON 9/08/22. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (#39) FOUND HANDWASHING SINK DIRECTLY NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. FOUND NO BARRIER BETWEEN THE PREP TABLE AND THE HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD TO PREVENT MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DUST BUILDUP ON THE TOILET ROOM EXHAUST VENTILATION. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
61
Sep 8, 2022
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOUND HANDWASHING SINK DIRECTLY NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. FOUND NO BARRIER BETWEEN PREP TABLE AND HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD TO PREVENT MISCELLANEOUS SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.
39
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cleo's Southern Cuisine last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cleo's Southern Cuisine on file is from Nov 25, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cleo's Southern Cuisine?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Cleo's Southern Cuisine.
Has Cleo's Southern Cuisine's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cleo's Southern Cuisine have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cleo's Southern Cuisine means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Cleo's Southern Cuisine inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cleo's Southern Cuisine is inspected around two times per year on average.
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