True Food Kitchen
Last inspected: Jul 16, 2025
95
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at True Food Kitchen, the earliest from 2018. Inspectors last stopped by on Jul 16, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around three violations to closer to five violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
True Food Kitchen's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 16, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E)--OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
16
95
Jul 8, 2025
Complaint
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN,HUMMUS ETC.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO CUSTOMERS.INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN (TCS FOODS)ARE PREPARED,HANDLED,AND/OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,CITATION ISSUED.
2
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2597228 DATED:07/09/2024 #44---4-904.13: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY WITH NOTED VIOLATION AND TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED.
60
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES.APPROXIMATELY 30 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED ON THE WALLS AND CEILING TILES IN THE REAR DISHWASHING ROOM AND IN THE UTILITY MOP SINK AREA.ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVERS INSIDE THE WASHROOMS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND TO MAINTAIN.
56
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR WITHOUT A LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE MAIN FRONT PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND TO MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE DISHMACHINE WITH DRIED UP DEBRIS AND TO MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE REAR STORAGE ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS, AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND TO MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS OF THE DISHWASHING ROOM AND REAR STORAGE ROOM AND UTILITY MOP SINK AREA INCLUDING ALL FLOOR DRAINS IN BAR AREAS AND TO MAINTAIN.
55
50
Jul 9, 2024
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOUBLE DOORS AND OPENING ON LEFT CORNER AT BASE OF GARAGE LIKE DOOR IN DUMPSTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.12: OBSERVED CONDENSATION FROM CEILING DRIPPING ONTO CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS ON SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN SAID AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE.
44
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-904.13: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED.
44
86
Jul 1, 2024
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD, ROASTED CORN, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 50.9F . INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $5 WEIGHING 1.4LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
22
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER . INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE STATING THAT ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK ARE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED, OR COOKED TO ORDER TO MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENING IN MIDDLE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOUBLE DOORS AND OPENING ON LEFT CORNER AT BASE OF GARAGE LIKE DOOR IN DUMPSTER AREA INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONDENSATION FROM CEILING DRIPPING ONTO CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS ON SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISH ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN SAID AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE.
44
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE AND FORK ON TABLES IN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED.
44
67
Dec 14, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Dec 12, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: No hot running water at men's toilet room hand wash sinks, 56f. Instructed to provide 100-120f water temp range at all hand wash sinks. Priority violation 7-38-030(C)
10
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: No heat strips/ dish machine thermometer for high temps dish machine, instructed to obtain, Priority foundation violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
48
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: No certified food service manager on site, no certificate posted while handling and serving TCS foods ( chicken, fish...) instructed to obtain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012.
2
70
Nov 30, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LOCK IS BROKEN ON FAMILY RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT LEAK COMING FROM HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
51
90
May 25, 2021
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND LEAKY FAUCET BASE ON MULTIPLE SINKS (3-COMP), INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHT IN HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
90
Jan 24, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 18, 2019
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH LONG BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.
40
95
Feb 20, 2018
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLEAN DISHES STORED DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE BAR HAND SINK WITHOUT PROPER SPLASH GUARD IN PLACE. ALSO OBSERVED FOOD PREP SINK DIRECTLY NEXT TO HAND SINK IN WALK IN COOLER WITHOUT PROPER SPLASH GUARD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARDS AT THESE HAND SINKS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF CLEAN DISHWARE STORAGE AND FOOD PREP ACTIVITIES.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOOD ABOVE DISH MACHINE WITH SOME AIR FLOW ISSUES: THE LEFT SIDE VENT IS NOT PULLING AIR OUT AS HARD AS IT SHOULD (RIGHT SIDE FUNCTIONING REGULARLY). INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HOOD SO THAT AIR IS EXHAUSTED PROPERLY.
38
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was True Food Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at True Food Kitchen on file is from Jul 16, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at True Food Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at True Food Kitchen.
Has True Food Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at True Food Kitchen have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at True Food Kitchen 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 True Food Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, True Food Kitchen is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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