Small Cheval
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
95
Score
Small Cheval has been inspected 16 times since 2014. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 22, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.
The pattern that stands out is “thermometers provided & accurate”, which has been cited four times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The record reflects steady performance over time.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B): **C** Temperature Measuring Devices (NO THERMOMETER IN EQUIPMENT) OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLERS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
95
Dec 15, 2025
Recent Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B): **C** Temperature Measuring Devices (NO THERMOMETER IN EQUIPMENT) OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLERS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
95
Dec 3, 2025
Reinspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: 8-304.11(A) OBSERVED NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED ON THE PREMISES FROM INSPECTION# 2627802 DATED 12/01/25. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
61
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: 4-204.112(B): **C** Temperature Measuring Devices (NO THERMOMETER IN EQUIPMENT) OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLERS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
86
Dec 1, 2025
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BARRIER BETWEEN COUNTER AND PREP AREA WHICH WOULD PROHIBITING CONTAMINATION FROM CONSUMER INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A BARRIER TO PROTECT FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
39
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD BE IMPROPER: OBSERVED CHICKEN TENDERS RANGING IN TEMPERATURES FROM 51.6-61.2F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 8 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $50.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR (QUAT AT 3 COMP SINK) AND (CHLORINE FOR LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE) SANITIZER & FOR WARE WASHING AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PIC WAS ABLE TO CALL AND GET TEST STRIPS FROM A DIFFERENT LOCATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLERS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
64
Feb 7, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Apr 20, 2023
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: FOUND THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER- WAGYU BEEF AT 45.9 F, PORK BACON AT 46.3 F, VEGGIE PATTIES AT 46.4 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. ALL SAID OUT OF TEMPERTURE TCS FOODS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. WEIGHT OF FOOD DISCARDED- 43 LBS, VALUED AT $358.00.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: WALK IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATUE AT 47.4 F, FOUND WAGYU BEEF, BACON INSIDE SAID COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER WALK IN COOLER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SMALL HOLES IN WALL BEHIND DISHWASH HANDWASH SINK. MUST SEAL ALL SMALL HOLES IN WALL.
55
70
Feb 24, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 18, 2022
Complaint
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SANITIZER DETECTED AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE MACHINE WITH A FINAL RINSE OF 100 PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE BUILD UP OF GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
56
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN RECORDS ON THE PREMISES RELATING TO EMPLOYEE VACCINATION STATUS OR WEEKLY TESTING AS REQUIRED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
64
74
Jul 20, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR AT STORAGE ROOM. MUST CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT STORAGE ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
May 1, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE VENTILATION FANS NOT OPERATIONAL IN THE WASHROOMS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
95
Feb 19, 2019
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER SWEEPING THE FLOOR THEN HE PICKED UP CUTTING BOARD AND TOOK IT THE 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDLED A CLEAN KNIFE WITH DIRTY HANDS WITHOUT WASHING HANDS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.COS(PRIORITY 7-38-010)
8
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 13LBS.BLANCHED FRENCH FRIES IN A PAN NEXT TO DEEP FRYER AT 63.5F.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPX.13LBS. $6.76 (PRIORITY 7-38-005)
22
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.)
3
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN ADJACENT STORAGE AREA.
55
61
Sep 24, 2018
Complaint
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.11 OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED SOAP FOR THIS HANDWASHING SINK AT MY REQUEST. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SOAP AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT PROVIDED FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH MENU ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THAT FOOD ITEM TO A REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
57
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 OBSERVED CUSTOMERS WALKING BEHIND THE COUNTER AND THROUGH THE FOOD PREP AREA TO GET OUT TO THE OUTDOOR PATIO SEATING AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT CUSTOMERS CANNOT WALK THROUGH THE FOOD PREP AREA AND MUST EXIT THE SIDE DOOR TO GET TO THE PATIO.
39
61
Jul 21, 2017
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE WATER LINE.
38
95
Dec 12, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: NOTED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHER (CHLORINE), NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. FINAL RINSE FOR CHLORINE READING IS 00PPM. EQUIPMENT NOT IN USE AT THIS TIME. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED COMPANY FOR MAINTENANCE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
8
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED NO WATER LINE ON THE TAYLOR SERVE ICE MACHINE WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WATER LINE OVER THE MACHINE....NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND WASH SINK BY THE PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD AT THE HAND WASH SINK.
38
90
Sep 17, 2015
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORE INSIDE ICE BIN AT THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES STORED ON FOOD PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHES IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
95
May 29, 2014
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL A DOOR OR GATE BETWEEN BEER COUNTER AND SERVICE COUNTER AND TO MAINTAIN.
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ENSURE PROPER STORAGE OF CLEANING ITEMS AND ANY FOOD ITEMS AND TO MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
41
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Small Cheval last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Small Cheval on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Small Cheval?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Small Cheval.
Has Small Cheval's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Small Cheval have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Small Cheval 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 Small Cheval inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Small Cheval is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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