The Soul Food Lounge

3804 W 16Th St, Chicago, IL 60623

American

Last inspected: Mar 26, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited The Soul Food Lounge five times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 26, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

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

When inspectors have written things up, “food properly labeled” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.

The city-wide average is 81, putting The Soul Food Lounge squarely in typical territory. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 26, 2026

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEFT DOOR NOT CLOSING PROPERLY ON COOLER NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAK UNDER HOT WATER TANK ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND TOILET NOT FLUSING PROPERLY IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Sep 24, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Sep 25, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER INSIDE OF COOLING UNIT WITH COLD HOLD UNIT ATTACHED.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA CONTAINING WORKING INGREDIENTS WITHOUT COMMON NAME LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2-DOOR COOLING UNIT IN PREP AREA WITH EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF BLACK DUCT TAPE HOLDING DOOR IN PLACE. NOTED GASKETS IN DISREPAIR ON SAID EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAINED IN GOOD CONDITION.

Jul 21, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Mar 25, 2022

License

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Soul Food Lounge last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Soul Food Lounge on file is from Mar 26, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Soul Food Lounge?

Across the inspection record, “food properly labeled” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Soul Food Lounge.

Has The Soul Food Lounge's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The Soul Food Lounge have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Soul Food Lounge 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 Soul Food Lounge inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Soul Food Lounge is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Mr. Ed's Kitchen & Market

Mr & Mrs James Chicken & Fish

3701 W 16Th St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

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