Inspiration Corporation
Last inspected: Jul 16, 2025
100
Score
Going back to 2012, Inspiration Corporation has 18 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jul 16, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.
“Insects, rodents, & animals not present” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing six times across the record.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
18
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 16, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 9, 2025
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE FOR THE SANITIZER (QUAT) BEING USED FOR SANITIZING. INFORMED MANAGEMENT THAT A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION OF THE SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX. 50 RODENT (MICE) DROPPINGS ALONG THE WALLS IN ALL CORNERS OF THE DRY STORAGE ROOM, 15 IN THE CORNER BY THE MOPSINK UTILITY AREA, AND 8 ON THE BOTTOM SHELF OF PREP TABLE NEXT TO HANDSINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
82
Oct 10, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 2, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND OVER 40 RODENT (MICE) DROPPINGS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR STORAGE AREA BY THE MOPSINK AREA AND OVER 15 MICE DROPPINGS ALONG THE WALLS BEHIND COOLERS IN THE PREP/COOKING AREA. ALSO FOUND ONE DEAD MOUSE IN A CORNER UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMEND TO CONTACT LICENSED PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MILK CRATES AS STORAGE SHELVING. MUST PROPERLY USE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT PREP/COOKING/STORAGE AREA.
55
82
May 31, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST ON SHELVES INSIDE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE RUST AND ENSURE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DAMAGED FLOOR TILES TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Sep 14, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON-PREMISES.
58
95
Apr 6, 2021
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: SOME DRY FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE KITCHEN ON SHELF BY THE WINDOW ARE NOT LABELED INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: REMOVE DEAD INSECT UNDER SHELF AT DISHROOM.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER ACROSS FROM TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. REPAIR/REPLACE
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: LID IS NEEDED AT RECEPTACLES INSIDE BOTH WASHROOMS
53
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
57
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: PINK SUBSTANCE AT INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. COMPARTMENTS NOT CLEAN (INTERIOR TOP AND BIN). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN UNIT.
16
74
Apr 14, 2020
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS INSIDE VOMIT SPILL KIT.PRIORTY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
5
95
Apr 3, 2020
Complaint
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND ABOUT 70 MICE DROPPINGS AT FOLLOWING AREAS: STORAGE ROOM, ALONG WALLS AT DINING AREAS, AND BEHIND STOVE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-020A. MUST NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR, REMOVE ALL MICE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOORS.
38
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS INSIDE VOMIT SPILL KIT.PRIORTY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.
5
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND CLUTTER AT STORAGE ROOM.(BOXES, GARBAGE,ETC.) MUST CLEAN, SANITIZE,AND ORGANIZE STORAGE ROOM.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT STORAGE ROOM. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
55
78
Oct 31, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOLLOWING THE NEW FOOD CODE AND GUILDLINES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER DATE MARKING ON TCS FOODS HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE USE BY DATE INCLUDING PREP DATE HELD NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON KITCHEN PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION BUCKET WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIDS ON TRASH CANS IN WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILD UP IN ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPICES HELD IN MASON JARS THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL COMMON NAME WHEN STORED OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOXES ON TOP OF PREP TABLE IN KITCHEN NEAR FREEZERS/2-DOOR REFRIGERATORS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
55
58
Feb 27, 2018
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NOTED A SLIGHT DISCOLORATION INSIDE INNER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
33
95
Jun 8, 2017
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED. MANAGEMENT CORRECTED DURING THE INSPECTION.
30
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: HOLE IN THE WALL SURROUNDING ELECTRICAL BOX IN THE KITCHEN NEXT TO THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST SEAL. MUST REPLACE TORN WASHROOM WALL VENT SCREEN.
35
90
Apr 8, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CRACKED/BROKEN SOLID LIGHT SHIELD IN THE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE SOLID LIGHT SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: LIGHT SHIELD OF THE LIGHT BULB ON THE HOOD/CANOPY WITH GREASE/DUST ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN REMOVE DUST/GREASE AND MAINTAIN.
33
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. MUST PROVIDE NEXT ROUTINE INSPECTION.
45
86
Jul 7, 2015
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FAN VENT COVERS IN THE 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN THE KITCHEN AREA TO REMOVE DUST BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.
32
95
Apr 24, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER,ACROSS FROM TWO COMPARTMENT SINKS,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: BURNED FOOD INSIDE THE OVEN,UNDER THE FLAT GRILL
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: BROKEN CEILING WALL AROUND PIPE,ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WITH A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE EAST PREP TABLE BY SERVICE WINDOW,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELD THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: BROKEN THERMOMETER INSIDE THE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WITH A WORKING THERMOMETER
40
78
Aug 19, 2013
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: PREP AREA CONDIMENT REACH IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 48.2 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR COOLER, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 40 F OR BELOW, FOUND CHEESES, DRESSING, ETC. INSIDE SAID COOLER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS HELD BETWEEN 48.2 F AND 51.4 F- CHEESES, WHIPPED CREAM, RANCH DRESSING, CUT VEGETABLES, SAUSAGE. INSTUCTED MANAGER ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 40 F OR BELOW. ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS VOLUNTARILLY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE BUILD UP ON CONDENSER INSIDE CONDIMENT REACH IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP.
32
86
Mar 7, 2013
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: STAND UP REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKET RIPPED. MUST REPAIR AND DOOR GASKET.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS WITH GREASE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD FILTERS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA UNDER SHELF RACKS. MUST CLEAN FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND RACKS.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 2-COMPARTMENT SINK HOT AND COLD WATER HANDLES LEAKING. MUST REPAIR SINK.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: METAL STEM THERMOMETER NOT CALIBRATED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
40
78
May 2, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT/FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER INSIDE DAIRY REACH COOLER.
40
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Inspiration Corporation last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Inspiration Corporation on file is from Jul 16, 2025. The public record contains 18 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Inspiration Corporation?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Inspiration Corporation.
Has Inspiration Corporation's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Inspiration Corporation have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Inspiration Corporation 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 Inspiration Corporation inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Inspiration Corporation is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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