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Lao Sze Chuan

2172 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Southeast Asian
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
100
Score
Low Risk

The health department has logged three inspections at Lao Sze Chuan, the earliest from 2025. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 19, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

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

Across the inspection history, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Lao Sze Chuan's latest score of 100 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Dec 9, 2025
Complaint
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN KITCHEN WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE, DRIPPING ONTO ICE CUBES STORED AT BELOW ICE BIN.ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 60 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER AND UNDER THE STORAGE SHELVES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADVISED MANAGEMENT TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
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.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, SURROUNDING FLOORS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS' CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION.
58
61
Apr 30, 2025
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS AND SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ENTIRE WALL IN THE REAR FOOD STORAGE/EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. SMALL OPENINGS OBSERVED IN WALL AND DOOR IN MENTIONED AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE TOPS OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LID FOR THE RECEPTACLES IN THE WOMEN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE PRODUCTS.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LOWER WALLBASES ON THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD WITH SMALL OPENINGS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.
55
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lao Sze Chuan last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lao Sze Chuan on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lao Sze Chuan?

Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Lao Sze Chuan.

Has Lao Sze Chuan's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Lao Sze Chuan have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Lao Sze Chuan means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

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