Happy Lamb Hot Pot
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
67
Score
Across the available record, Happy Lamb Hot Pot has four inspections on file, the first dated 2024. Happy Lamb Hot Pot was last inspected on Jan 12, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near seven violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Happy Lamb Hot Pot's latest score of 67 falls below the Chicago average of 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY. THE PERSON IN CHARGE HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED FOR FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
2
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: FOUND NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING AND OTHER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. ALSO CLEAN IN BASEMENT AREA UNDER STORAGE SHELVES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY.
1
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN WALK IN FREEZER; INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS FOR FOOD ITEMS.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: CAN OPENER BLADE AT PREP TABLES, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, BOTTOM AREA OF FRYERS, WOK STATION AND INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS.
49
67
Feb 18, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD-HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND 15 DOZEN EGGS ON THE FLOOR AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN THE REAR PREP AREA RANGING 55.2F-60.0F. ALSO FOUND KIMCHI AND TWO DIFFERENT SALADS AT THE FRONT SELF-SERVICE SALAD/ OIL BAR AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF 46.6F-55.0F. THE COLD HOLDING UNIT WAS NOT ON. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 17LBS AT $90 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
22
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING METHODS FOR TCS FOODS. FOUND A CONTAINER OF OCTOPUS AND BOXES OF CHICKEN FOUND THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER METHODS OF THAWING TCS FOODS, SUCH AS LEAVING FROZEN TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE A COLD HOLDING UNIT OVERNIGHT TO THAW.
35
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ELECTRICAL INSECT CONTROL DEVICES PLUGGED UP ON DINING ROOM TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM STORING ON DINING TABLES FOR CONSUMERS AND FROM ABOVE FOOD PREP SERVICES.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRY INGREDIENT STORAGE CONTAINERS, PREP PLATED DRY GOODS FOR CONSUMERS, AND DEEP FRYERS WITH GREASE INSIDE NOT COVERED WHILE NOT IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COVER ALL FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
39
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A METAL BUCKET SUBMERGED IN ICE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO USE ITEMS WITH HANDLES TO TRANSFER FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
39
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN CONTAINERS AND BUCKETS STORED ON THE FLOORS IN THE REAR AND BASEMENT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ITEMS ON THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND THE FLOORS NEAR THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA FILLED WITH DIRTY DISHES AND DISHWARE WITH OLD FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM STORING A SUBTANTIAL AMOUNT OF DIRTY DISHWARE FROM THE PREVIOUS SERVICE DAY TO PREVENT FEEDING SOURCES FOR PEST.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA WITH A SLOW DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
61
Apr 26, 2024
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B): OBSERVED THE PREP COOLER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE STOVE WITHOUT AN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINAIN.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.17: OBSERVED RAW WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNITS IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE WOOD OR PAINT WITH FOOD GRADE PAINT TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-201.11: OBSERVED A DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET IN THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE WOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE RUBBER GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C): OBSERVED DEBRIS IN THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE WOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN MENTIONED PREP COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17: OBSERVED NO LIDED RECEPTACLES IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM NEAR THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE PRODUCTS.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114: OBSERVED CLUTTER ACROSS FROM THE HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE, DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE MENTIONED AREA AND MAINTAIN.
55
74
Apr 25, 2024
License
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER WHERE BEVERAGES WILL BE PREPARED AND A LOW TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SINGLE HANDWASHING SINK TO ALLOW CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES IN ALL FOOD PREPARATION AREAS, FOOD DISPENSING, AND WAREWASHING AREAS. THE HANDWASHING SINK MUST MEET COMPLIANCE BY HAVING WATER FROM AN APPROVED SOURCE BY THE CITY OF CHICAGO, HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER (100-120 F), AND FULLY EQUIPPED WITH HANDWASHING CLEANSER AND HAND DRYING PROVISIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-030(C), NO CITATION ISSUED.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE PREP COOLER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE STOVE WITHOUT AN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINAIN.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNITS IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE WOOD OR PAINT WITH FOOD GRADE PAINT TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET IN THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE WOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE RUBBER GASKET AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS IN THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE WOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN MENTIONED PREP COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIDED RECEPTACLES IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM NEAR THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE PRODUCTS.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER ACROSS FROM THE HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE, DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE MENTIONED AREA AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy Lamb Hot Pot last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy Lamb Hot Pot on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy Lamb Hot Pot?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Happy Lamb Hot Pot.
Has Happy Lamb Hot Pot's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Happy Lamb Hot Pot have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Happy Lamb Hot Pot means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Happy Lamb Hot Pot inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Happy Lamb Hot Pot is inspected around two times per year on average.
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