The Happy Lobster

131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661

Seafood

Last inspected: Feb 14, 2022

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, The Happy Lobster has four inspections on file, the first dated 2019. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 14, 2022. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well. The most recent inspection at The Happy Lobster is from Feb 14, 2022, and nothing newer appears in the public record.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around one violation lately and about four violations before that.

Looking across the full record, “allergen training as required” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

The Happy Lobster's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 14, 2022

Reinspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: 2-102.13-FOUND NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLEGREN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

Feb 7, 2022

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE INADEQUATELY SANITIZING AT 0 PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SANITIZING SOLUTION OF 200 - 400 PPM (FOR QUAT SOLUTION). PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-025.CITATION ISSUED

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER OR CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (LOBSTER) IS BEING STORED ON SITE. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, STORED, AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010. CITATION ISSUED.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK LOCTED AT BOOTH NEXT TO LOW TEMPWEARTURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLEGREN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

Mar 17, 2021

Routine

3 major violations.

View 3 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Summary report displayed and visible to the public

Inspector notes: NOTED NO RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED IN PUBLIC VIEW. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-42-010(B). NO CITATION ISSUED.

Previous core violation corrected

Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2261262 DATED 1/29/2019: #58 ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-42-090. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Jan 29, 2019

License

2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector notes: NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES ONSITE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP KIT AND POST PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENCE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR UNFINISHED FRONT AND SIDE WALLS IN PREP AREA, SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DUST AND DIRT FROM CEILINGS AND WALLS THROUGHOUT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Happy Lobster last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Happy Lobster on file is from Feb 14, 2022. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Happy Lobster?

Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Happy Lobster.

Has The Happy Lobster's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at The Happy Lobster have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Happy Lobster means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

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