Happy Rice

243 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

Asian / Fusion

Last inspected: Oct 16, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

There aren't many inspections to draw from yet: just two so far. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 16, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near eight violations per visit across recent inspections.

Across the inspection history, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

The city-wide average sits at 81, which Happy Rice's 58 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 16, 2025

Routine

3 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE BASEMENT HAND-SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWELS FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). SEE ABOVE.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN, BEEF, RICE,ETC) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR AT TOP OF STAIRS ON FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

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

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE COOLERS AND FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.

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

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB AT VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN.

Sep 20, 2024

License

2 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 8 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, NO CITATION ISSUED

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE ICE MAHCINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT WITH NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE DEEP-FRYING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FILTERS MISSING IN THE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Happy Rice last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Happy Rice on file is from Oct 16, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Happy Rice?

Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Happy Rice.

Has Happy Rice's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Happy Rice have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Happy Rice 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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