Dena Kitchen
Last inspected: Nov 5, 2025
100
Score
Inspectors have visited Dena Kitchen 12 times, with records going back to 2014. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 5, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded six times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Dena Kitchen is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 5, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 2, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER AT PREMISES WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS.(HANDLES CHICKEN,AND BEEF,ETC.)PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-012.MUST PROVIDE.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE.MUST PROVIDE.
1
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK AT JUICE BAR AREAS.MUST PROVIDE.
10
82
Apr 6, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: Observed one expired food allergen certificate posted on site, instructed to renew.
58
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Observed bulk storage containers located on shelves of prep tables and in rear storage without labels. Must provide when items are not in original packaging.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Observed water damaged ceiling tiles near toilet room attached to dining area. Instructed to replace and maintain in good condition.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Observed basement floor in need of dustless cleaning method. Instructed to deep clean and maintain.
55
82
Aug 12, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE, STOVE, PREP COOLER AND EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
90
Jun 22, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/DUST BUILD UP ON SHELVES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. MUST CLEAN SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR AT DRY STORAGE ROOM UNDER AND AROUND SHELVES AND CORNERS. MUST CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Aug 1, 2019
Routine
4 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSEREVED NO DATE MARKING ON TCS READY TO EAT FOODS BEING HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
23
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
5
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2232526 10/30/18 #58-OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)
60
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGN IN CUSTOMERS TOILET ROOM.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT SILVERWARE WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
44
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINET,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.WOK STATION,PREP TABLES,STOVE & OVEN,EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP IN BASEMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN HALLWAY LEADING TO TOILET ROOM AND DINING AREA,BROKEN CONCRETE FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT,UNDER AND AROUND SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND FLOOR DRAINS.MUST REMOVE WATER FROM BASEMENT FLOOR AND KEEP DRY.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR SOME EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
39
Oct 30, 2018
Suspected Food Poisoning
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 DETAIL CLEAN THE MICROWAVE, PREP COOLERS AND GREASE TRAP.
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
90
Oct 17, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OR PAINT RAW WOOD SHELVING IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND COOKING STOVE IN REAR PREP COOKING AREA.
34
90
Aug 31, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME, PREPARED BY DATE AND/OR USED BY DATE.
30
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED DUSTY FANS AT THE REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
Sep 3, 2015
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER KNIFE RACK (NOTED KNIVES STORED IN BETWEEN PREP COOLER AND PREP TABLE AND INSIDE TIN CANS).-------INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE GROCERY BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE INSIDE FREEZERS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS, SIDES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH GREASE ACCUMULATION, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF EXPOSED HAND SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, STORAGE AND PREP SHELVES THROUGHOUT.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT, REAR PREP/COOKING AREA AND IN BASEMENT, ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS.---------NEEDS TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK GREASE ACCUMULATION.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS WITH FOOD SPILLAGE THROUGHOUT REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE AND ACCURATE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, UNUSED EQUIPMENT, AND CLUTTER STORED IN PREP/COOKING AREA, REAR STORAGE, INSIDE OFFICE, OUTSIDE AREA, IN BASEMENT AND INSIDE OF GARAGE (REAR OUTSIDE AREA) TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST REORGANIZE.--------USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.--------CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS AND BROOMS) MUST BE STORED OFF THE FLOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY WASHCLOTHS IN PREP/COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN A BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION.
43
Only authorized personnel in the food-prep area
Inspector notes: NO CHILDREN ALLOWED IN THE KITCHEN. ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ALLOWED.
44
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
64
Sep 23, 2014
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND DIRT ACCUMULATION ON BASEMENT FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
95
Sep 5, 2014
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dena Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dena Kitchen on file is from Nov 5, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dena Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Dena Kitchen.
Has Dena Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Dena Kitchen have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Dena 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.
How often is Dena Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dena Kitchen is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants