The Soul Shack

1368 E 53Rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
American
Last inspected: Jun 29, 2022
100
Score
Low Risk

The health department has logged eight inspections at The Soul Shack, the earliest from 2019. Inspectors last stopped by on Jun 29, 2022. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. Public records show no inspections at The Soul Shack since Jun 29, 2022, so this file may not reflect current conditions.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.

The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited six times.

Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 29, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 17, 2022
Complaint
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED IN REAR PREP AREA. OBSERVED WASTE WATER BACKING UP FROM 1 COMPARTMENT TO OTHER COMPARTMENT. MUST REPAIR TO CORRECTLY CONVEY ALL WASTE WATER PROPERLY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). REPAIRS MADE DURING INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED.
52
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 SMALL, BLACK FLIES ON WALLS, MILK CRATES, AND SIDE OF COOLERS IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE THESE AREA. MUST CONTACT PEST CONTROL TO ADDRESS ISSUE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2509807, DATED 5/17/21. MUST CORRECT THE FOLLOWING VIOLATIONS: #49 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT: FRYERS AT SIDE AND BOTTOM INTERIOR, STOVES, HOT HOLDING UNIT, PREP TABLES, REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FREEZERS. #55 INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN STORAGE AREAS AND CLOSETS BY REMOVING UNNECESSARY ITEMS. #56 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENT SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. #57 FOUND SOME EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED CERTIFICATES OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES. #58 OBSERVED TWO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
16
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING METHOD IN USE. OBSERVED INDIVIDUALLY VACUUMED PACKAGED SALMON, THAWING IN REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED MUST FOLLOW ROP INSTRUCTIONS PRINTED ON PACKAGING, STATING FISH MUST BE REMOVED FROM PACKAGING BEFORE THAWING. MANAGER REMOVED PACKAGING AT TIME OF INSPECTION.
35
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED WATER IN HOT HOLDING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST DRAIN, DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST KEEP WATER USED IN STEAM TABLE CLEAN AND FREE OF DEBRIS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT PIPE BELOW HAND SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME. OBSERVED MISSING HOT WATER HANDLE ON LEFT FAUCET OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME. OBSERVED LEAK AT RIGHT FAUCET ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE, POOLING LIQUIDS, AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA, AND ON FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND KEEP FLOORS DRY TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
55
55
May 17, 2021
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT: FRYERS AT SIDE AND BOTTOM INTERIOR, STOVES, HOT HOLDING UNIT, PREP TABLES, REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FREEZERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN STORAGE AREAS AND CLOSETS BY REMOVING UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENT SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOUND SOME EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED CERTIFICATES OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES; INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
78
Jan 8, 2020
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING VENTS AND LIGHT SHIELDS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK BAGS OF RICE AND SUGAR STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL STOCK SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTI-USE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN CONTAINERS AT WAIT STATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT UTENSILS TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE FRYER CABINETS, FOOD DEBRIS ON STORAGE SHELVES AND SYRUP SPILLS AND RESIDUE ON NOZZLES OF POP MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN CUSTOMER AND STAFF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLE AND UTILITY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ORGANIZE ALL STORAGE AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
55
74
Apr 3, 2019
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREPACKAGED DESSERTS FOR SALE WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
95
Mar 29, 2019
Reinspection
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A 3 DOOR PREP COOLER, WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE(CHEESE), NOT MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW, DURING THE INSPECTION THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID UNIT WAS 53.6F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. SAID UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL RE-INSPECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
33
86
Mar 27, 2019
Complaint
3 critical violations. 6 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-202.12(A) OBSERVED THE HAND WASHING SINK NOT AT THE PROPER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F LOCATED IN THE TOILET ROOM. TEMPERATURE OF THE SAID HAND WASHING SINK WAS AT 74F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO THAT THE HAND WASHING SINK HOT WATER TEMPERATURE IS AT 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
10
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 3-501.16(A2&B) OBSERVED TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE LOCATED IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND IN THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER; 25 LBS OF COOKED CHICKEN AT 81.7F, 10 LBS OF CHEESE AT 55F AND ONE DOZEN OF EGGS AT 59F. ALL FOODS DISCARDED VALUED AT $250. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING TCS FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: 4-301.11 OBSERVED A 3 DOOR PREP COOLER, WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE(CHEESE), NOT MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW, DURING THE INSPECTION THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID UNIT WAS 53.6F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. SAID UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL RE-INSPECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
33
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-305.14 OBSERVED FOODS BEING PREPPED AT FOOD PREP TABLES THAT ARE LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER WASTE WATER PIPES IN THE LOWER LEVEL FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA THAT IS LOCATED UNDER WASTE WATER PIPES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.
39
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(N) NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-205.11 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK BLOCKED IN THE LOWER LEVEL FOOD PREP AREA. AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION, MULTIPLE BOXES WERE BEING STORED IN FRONT OF SAID HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO REMOVE BOXES AND EMPLOYEE REMOVED ALL BOXES DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
10
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 NO VOMIT OR DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17 OBSERVED SOME READY TO EAT TCS FOODS (COOKED SWEET POTATOES) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING PRODUCT DATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (LAMB CHOPS). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENUS FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
25
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: 2-401.11 OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER EATING WHILE PREPPING FOOD IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY EAT FOODS IN DESIGNATED AREAS AND NEVER EAT WHILE PREPPING FOODS.
6
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-601.11 OBSERVED PREPACKAGED DESSERTS FOR SALE WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK LOCATED UNDER THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 OBSERVED BOXES BEING STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE STORAGE ROOM LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS LOCATED AT THE 1ST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA AND AROUND THE GREASE TRAP LOCATED UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
26
Feb 1, 2019
License
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT OR DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
57
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Soul Shack last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Soul Shack on file is from Jun 29, 2022. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Soul Shack?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at The Soul Shack.

Has The Soul Shack's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Soul Shack have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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