Hotel Chocolat

3334 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Other
Last inspected: Oct 2, 2025
70
Score
Medium Risk

With just two inspections in the record, there isn't enough history to establish a clear pattern. On Oct 2, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.

When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Hotel Chocolat trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

2
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 2, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS COFFEE WITH MILK AND CREAM. INSTRUCTED ABOVE TO OPERATE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARAED AND SERVED IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF FRONT COUNTER PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR AROUND UTILITY ROOM AND UNDERNEATH FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
70
Mar 28, 2025
License
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED REAR ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND SANITIZE BEFORE INITAL USE.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NOTED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE FRONT DOUBLE DOORS. AND NORTHWEST REAR OUTTERMOST DOOR WITH 1 INCH OPENING. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TEMPORARY FOOD PROTECTION BARRIER AT CHOCOLATE LIQUID TAP LOCATED ON FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A FIXED GUARD
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED RAW WOOD ON UNDERSIDE OF COUNTER WHERE CHOCOLATE LIQUID TAP IS INSTALLED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RAW WOOD TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.
47
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: NOTED MISSING SCREWS ON LOBBY GREASE TRAP COVER. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A TIGHT SEAL.
52
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED UTILITY LINES IN REAR DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL CEILING COVERS
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED GAP BETWEEN FLOOR SINK AND FLOORS AT BOTH FLOOR SINKS IN FRONT OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ADDRESS CLEANABILITY BY FILLING GAP. ALSO NOTED HOLE ON THE LEFT CORNER OF WEST WALL IN NORTH DRY STORAGE ROOM FROM LOBBY. THE BASE OF THE SAME WEST WALL NEEDS TO BE SEALED.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED REAR VENTS WITH PEELING ALUMINUM COVERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
67

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hotel Chocolat last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Hotel Chocolat on file is from Oct 2, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Hotel Chocolat?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Hotel Chocolat.

Has Hotel Chocolat's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Hotel Chocolat have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Hotel Chocolat means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.