Lotus Banh Mi
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2025
82
Score
Lotus Banh Mi has been inspected six times since 2020. On Mar 24, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “thermometers provided & accurate” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Chicago restaurants. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: Observed employees eating in kitchen, instructed to eat in outside food production areas.
6
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Several prep coolers missing thermometer, Instructed to install.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Using garbage bags to store food in, instructed to use food grade bags.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: No current allergen training certificate for food service manager, instructed to obtain.
58
82
Jul 19, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Knives wedged between 2 prep tables, instructed to keep knives in knife holder.
43
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Prep cooler missing thermometer, instructed to provide.
36
90
Aug 1, 2023
Complaint
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: BAGS OF PORK 63.8F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 4 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $20.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. THE MANAGER PROVIDED A HAND WASHING SIGN AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
10
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN
41
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE MEN AND WOMEN TOILET ROOM EXHAUST VENTILATION. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
56
74
Nov 9, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE AT 67F LOCATED IN MENS TOILET ROOM. MUST PROVIDE A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: FOUND BUILT IN SINK STOPPERS UNABLE TO HOLD WATER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
82
Nov 10, 2021
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
29
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO THERMOMETER IN WALK-IN COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SNEEZE GUARD NOT EXTENDED TO PROTECT ALL OPEN FOOD/ FOOD UTENSILS FROM CUSTOMERS CONTAMINATION AT FRONT SERVICE LINE, INSTRUCTED TO EXTEND.
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFCATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, INSTTRUCTED TO OTAIN.
58
82
Dec 1, 2020
License
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL SPILLS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER ON MENU AND DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MUST DISCLOSE AND REMIND SUCH ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
25
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN BOTH 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLERS AND REAR PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS UNITS.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR (RIGHT DOOR) PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRAINPIPE LEAKING UNDER THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK (UNDER RIGHT COMPARTMENT). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB ON THE CEILING IN THE JANITOR HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
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
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lotus Banh Mi last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lotus Banh Mi on file is from Mar 24, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lotus Banh Mi?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Lotus Banh Mi.
Has Lotus Banh Mi's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lotus Banh Mi have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lotus Banh Mi 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 Lotus Banh Mi inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lotus Banh Mi is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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