Cleo's Southern Cuisine

2826 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

American

Last inspected: Dec 1, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

There aren't many inspections to draw from yet: just one so far. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 1, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Cleo's Southern Cuisine's latest score of 58 falls below the Chicago average of 81.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 1, 2025

License

1 major violation. 9 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNAGE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED AT THIS TIME.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS PROVIDED NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN BOTH UNISEX WAHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. OBSERVED REAR RECEIVING SIDE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF. DOOR HAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE SHELVING.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO STOPPERS PROVIDED AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLOW LEAKING PIPE UNDERNEATH ONE OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES PROVIDED IN BOTH UNISEX WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR BEHIND FOOD PREP TABLES IN REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR DISHWASHIG AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENT ABOVE MOP SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 Dec 1, 2025. The public record contains one inspection in total.

What is the most common violation at Cleo's Southern Cuisine?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cleo's Southern Cuisine.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cleo's Southern Cuisine means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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