The Exchange
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
100
Score
Public records show seven inspections at The Exchange stretching back to 2018. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly five violations earlier on.
Looking across the full record, “proper hot holding temperatures” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; The Exchange is comfortably above that bar. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 28, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 16, 2024
Routine
4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SANDWICH STATION COLD HOLDING UNIT AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 53F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. COLD HOLDING UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL TCS FOODS AND NOT USE REACH IN COOLER. UNTIL IT MAINTAINS A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND IS RE-INSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE AT 75F. ALSO NOTED 1 OUT OF 3 HAND WASHING SINKS WATER TEMPERATURE LOCATED IN REAR PREP AT 73F AND ANOTHER SINK WITHOUT RUNNING WATER AT ALL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED
10
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN, RICE, BEEF) AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 98F - 110F STORED IN HOT HOLDING UNIT LOCATED IN PREP AREA. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDS AND DENATURES ALL SAID TCS FOODS, APPROX 30 LBS $300. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 135F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
21
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (TUNA, CHICKEN, SALMON, TURKEY) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 55F - 59F LOCATED IN THE REACH IN COOLER (BELOW GRILL), AND SANDWICH STATION COLD HOLDING UNIT. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDS AND DENATURES ALL SAID TCS FOODS, APPROX 90 LBS $300. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
22
Proper hot holding temperatures
21
52
Dec 6, 2023
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY NOT MEETING THAWING REQUIREMENTS. FOOD HANDLER THAWING FROZEN CHICKEN IN A CONTAINER SITTING IN STAGNANT WATER. INFORMED FOOD HANDLER OF PROPER THAWING METHODS (MUST UTILIZE RUNNING WATER WITH ENOUGH VOLATILITY WHEN THAWING). MUST MEET PROPER THAWING REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN
35
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE NOT IN USE ONE DOOR COOLER LOCATED IN THE REAR AREA NEAR THE WALK-INS TO HAVE FOOD DEBRIS AND SPLASH. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET OF THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE REAR PANTRY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER STORED THROUGHOUT UNUSED COOLERS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA AND THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
56
74
Nov 4, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
16
95
Nov 8, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST 47 F, CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH 60 F,CHICKEN WRAPS 47 F STORED ON BUFFET TABLE COOLER AND FOOD PREP AREA.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0 F OR BELOW.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
22
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 CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE BUT CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION OBSERVED TO BE BLOOD BORNE PATHOGEN CLEAN UP KIT WITH OUT PROPER SANITIZING SOLUTION AND NO MOP FOR VOMIT CLEAN UP . 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 (CHICKEN, SOUPS)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
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE HOT HOLDING UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE AMBIEN MEASURING THERMOMETERS IN ALL HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT AND ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE AND SEPARATE SHELVES IN DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
47
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STEAM KETTLES USED FOR SOUP COOKING TO BE BIGGER THAN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK(OR DISH MACHINE) AND CANT BE SUBMERGED IN WASH WATER IN SINK. MUST PROVIDE CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR EACH SEPARATE PIECE OF FOOD-CONTACT EQUIPMENT WITH DESCRIPTION HOW TO BE CLEANED IN PLACE AND/OR MUST SUBMIT THE PROCEDURES TO CDPH AT FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG FOR APPROVAL OR PRESENT PROCEDURE TO DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE PRIOR INSPECTION FOR ON SITE REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT NEW DISH MACHINE DRAIN IS OCCASIONALLY OVERFLOWING RECEPTIVE FLOOR DRAIN UNDER MACHINE AND CAUSING WATER TO SEATTLE UNDER MACHINE. MUST PROVIDE PROPER DRAIN AND PREVENT DRAIN OVERFLOWING.
51
50
Nov 13, 2018
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DAMAGED INSULATION COVERING IN WALK-IN COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Exchange last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Exchange on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Exchange?
Across the inspection record, “proper hot holding temperatures” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Exchange.
Has The Exchange's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Exchange have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Exchange 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 The Exchange inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Exchange is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants