Royal Sonesta Chicago River North
Last inspected: Jul 23, 2025
90
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North stretching back to 2021. Inspectors last stopped by on Jul 23, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up eight times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 23, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12---OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11---OBSERVED MISSING GROUT ON FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT MAIN FOOD PREP LINE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SO THAT FLOOR SURFACES ARE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
90
Jul 16, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS IN THE FRONT MAIN FOOD PREP AREA.OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 FLYING INSECTS ON WALLS AND CEILING IN THE REAR DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND FRONT SERVICE STATION DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE DISHWASHING AREA.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED.
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN AND BEEF ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS.INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED, HANDLED, AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
2
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
5
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL DRINKS,ALL OPEN DRINKS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
6
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING GROUT ON FLOOR TILES IN THE FRONT MAIN FOOD PREP LINE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SO THAT FLOOR SURFACES ARE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREAS AND BAR AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND TO MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
57
55
Sep 11, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP TO BE IMPROPER: SLICED TOMATOES RANGING IN TEMP FROM 48.6F TO 50.8F, SMOKED SALMON AT 46.3F, BOILED EGGS AT 46.7F MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 7 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $65.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. NOTED COLD HOLDING UNIT HAD AN AMBIENT AIR TEMP OF 36.7F. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD HOLDING UNIT ACESS LID IN FRONT PREP BROKEN, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPALCE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, SURROUNDING FLOORS IN FRONT PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING CEILINGS TILE PANEL IN REAR PREP NEAR WALK IN COOLER INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, REPLACE MISSING PANELS AND/OR REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
55
70
Dec 6, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Spoons in-use kept in standing water at room temperature, instructed to keep according to health code.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Ice scoop holder screwed to the side of ice maker, instructed to keep holder easily removed for proper washing.
47
90
Dec 16, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Dec 15, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR DISH AREA MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING PROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN 50-100PPM OF CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHLORINE TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2537396 DATED 10/27/2021. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
61
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT TIMES. PRIORTY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
67
Oct 27, 2021
Reinspection
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT/DIARRHEA CLEANUP KIT OR WRITTEN PROCEDURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND TILES MISSING GROUT IN THE FRONT COOKS LINE PREP AREA. MUST REGROUT TILE FLOORING.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
82
Oct 19, 2021
License
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VOMIT/DIARRHEA CLEANUP KIT OR WRITTEN PROCEDURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 20 LIVE FRUIT FLIES ON THE CEILING AND WALLS IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY FROM THE PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT BAR HANDWASHING SINKS. MUST PROVIDE.
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT KITCHEN. FOUND A MOLD-LIKE BUILD UP ON THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE BEER WALK-IN COOLER. FOUND ALL PLASTIC AND OTHER GABAGE UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT BAR. FOUND A THICK LAYER OF GREASE BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE FRYERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND MISSING CEILING TILES IN THE LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM BEHIND THE MAIN BAR. MUST REPLACE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND TILES MISSING GROUT IN THE FRONT COOKS LINE PREP AREA. MUST REGROUT TILE FLOORING.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Royal Sonesta Chicago River North last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North on file is from Jul 23, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North.
Has Royal Sonesta Chicago River North's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Royal Sonesta Chicago River North 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 Royal Sonesta Chicago River North inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Royal Sonesta Chicago River North is inspected around two times per year on average.
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