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Sze Chuan Alley

3141 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
Chinese
Last inspected: Jul 10, 2025
55
Score
Medium Risk

Sze Chuan Alley has only two inspections on file, a thin record to work from. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 10, 2025. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 10 violations per visit versus roughly five violations earlier in the record.

“Food properly labeled” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Sze Chuan Alley trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

2
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 10, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE THE CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION WRITTEN ON VIOLATION #2.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN HANDLING/SERVING TCS FOODS (I.E. CHICKEN, BEEF, RICE, ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN PREPARING/SERVING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: TCS (PORK) FOOD SITTING IN WATER OF A COMPARTMENT ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE COOLER OR ADEQUATELY IN THE MICROWAVE. MAINTAIN PROPER THAWING METHODS.
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: SPICES OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS IN THE REAR COOKING PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL SPICES THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND MAINTAIN.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL ENTERING THE FOOD PREP AREA TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN BUCKET OF SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CAN OPENER INTHE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENER.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT, SINKS AND STORAGE RACKS IN THE BASEMENT AND 1ST FL WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FILTERS ON THE VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH DIRT, GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION FILTERS.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE HAVE NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.
57
55
Mar 11, 2024
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED MINOR FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS INSIDE OF THE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
49
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A MINOR BROWNISH SUBSTANCE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE THAT IS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 OBSERVED SPICES OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL SPICES THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
37
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
58
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sze Chuan Alley last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Sze Chuan Alley on file is from Jul 10, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Sze Chuan Alley?

Across the inspection record, “food properly labeled” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Sze Chuan Alley.

Has Sze Chuan Alley's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Sze Chuan Alley have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Sze Chuan Alley means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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