Small Cheval
Last inspected: Jul 8, 2025
100
Score
Small Cheval appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2017. On Jul 8, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around three violations each.
“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Small Cheval is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 8, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 16, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: Bulk food container and spray bottle at cook line not labeled, Instructed to label and maintain.
37
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: Deli cups not air dried after washing and stacking, Instructed to air dry all multi-use utensils.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Cracked edges at deli cups food container at 3-comp sink area, Instructed to use sound utensils free from any chipping or cracks.
47
86
Jan 31, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Unable to locate backflow prevention device for the hose that's attached to the 3-comp sink faucet, instructed to keep exposed.
51
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: No temperature measuring devices on site for high temp dish machine, instructed to obtain. No citation issued.
48
90
Feb 28, 2023
Complaint
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY A FOOD EMPLOYEE - OBSERVED A FOOD EMPLOYEE TOUCH HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS, TOUCH HIS CLOTHING, AND THEN PUT ON CLEAN GLOVES BEFORE HANDLING CLEAN DISHES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES MUST WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER TOUCHING THEIR FACE OR ANY OTHER BODY PART BESIDES CLEAN HANDS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED. EMPLOYEE REMOVED GLOVES, WASHED HANDS AND PUT ON NEW CLEAN GLOVES.
8
86
Aug 9, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND MANAGER WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
95
Nov 6, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: FACILITY USES HIGH TEMPERATURE SANITIZING DISH MACHINE AND DOESN'T HAVE PROPER TEMPERATURE MEASURING IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR THAT SHALL BE PROVIDED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MEASURING THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
48
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY TO EAT, TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (DIJONNAISE SAUCE, NOT PROPERLY DATED , STORED LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
23
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT HAND WASHING SINKS ARE NOT PROPERLY MARKED
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT SEVERAL EMPLOYEES WORE BRACELETS WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD.MUST REMOVE ALL JEWELRY EXCEPT PLAIN WEDDING BAND FROM HANDS WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD
40
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT EMPLOYEE WORKING IN REAR PREP AREA DOESNT HAVE ANY HAIR PROTECTION.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED USE OF MILK CRATES FOR FOOD ELEVATION IN WALK IN COOLER-FREEZER.MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS MEANS OF SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO REACH UNDER COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA . INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
47
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
55
May 18, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NO CUSTOMERY ADVISORY POSTED FOR HAMBURGERS.ADVIORY GIVEN/POSTED DURING INSPECTION.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN 2ND FL STORAGE AND PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
34
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: observed no metal stem thermometer for food handlers to monitor food temperatures. instructed to provide.
40
86
Oct 13, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 12, 2017
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: Front prep area not protected. Observed inadequate barrier between front prep area counter, and toaster (on the side) and customer area. Must correct to be in compliance. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).
16
95
Aug 24, 2017
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT TURNED ON AND NOT MAINTAINING A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS MAINTAINING 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
2
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT INSTALLED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HAND SINK (EXPOSED) WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
11
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR WITH 2 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR RODENT PROOFED AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
21
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
22
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Small Cheval last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Small Cheval on file is from Jul 8, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Small Cheval?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited three 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 three 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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