So Soulful Eatery
Last inspected: Mar 12, 2025
47
Score
Public records currently show only two inspections for So Soulful Eatery. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 12, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around 12 violations across recent inspections versus roughly 14 violations before.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting So Soulful Eatery on the weaker side. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
2
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 12, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPILL/CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS AND NO CORRESPONDING CLEAN UP PROCEDURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS BEING STORED, PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CFM MUST BE ON SITE AND PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLANK COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN POLICY WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE POSTED FOR CFM WITH FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
58
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKING PIPE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHICKEN IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT THAWING IMPROPER WHILE SITTING IN SINK WITH STAGNANT WATER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW PROPER UNDER RUNNING WATER.
35
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLER#2 AND DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT HAIR NET/RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AT VENT HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
47
Sep 23, 2024
License
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 40LBS OF GRILLED CHICKEN AT 50.8F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 40LBS AT $100. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
22
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 VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 11:00AM TO 11:40PM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. AT 11:40AM CERTIFIED MANAGER LESTER SWIMS ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER OIL FILTERING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNDER HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR, UTILITY SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, WATER STAINED, DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD RESIDUE IN BOTTOM OF STANDING STAINLESS STEEL FREEZER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN GATED STORAGE AREA IN REAR LEADING TO GARBAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ORGANIZE ITEMS AND ELEVATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF GROUND TO PREVENT HIDING SPACES FOR PEST. MUST MAINTAIN PREMISES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT, AND OTHER SOIL ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY. PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was So Soulful Eatery last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at So Soulful Eatery on file is from Mar 12, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at So Soulful Eatery?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at So Soulful Eatery.
Has So Soulful Eatery's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at So Soulful Eatery have averaged around 12 violations per visit, down from roughly 14 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at So Soulful Eatery means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
Nearby Restaurants