Cooked?Chicago restaurant health inspection downgrades — August 31, 2026
Chicago restaurant inspection changes first received by Cooked during the week ending 2026-08-30: 20 downgrades. Official Chicago Department of Public Health records.
How to read this brief
20 downgrades
These are meaningful inspection records Cooked first received between August 24, 2026 and August 30, 2026. The authority may have performed an inspection earlier and published it later, so every restaurant below carries the inspection’s actual date.
An inspection is a dated official record, not a guarantee about every meal before or after it.
Ratings moved down 📉
Adom African Market
4650 S Indiana Ave · Chicago 60653 · Grand Boulevard
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 28, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
4 critical violations · 9 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- ⚠️Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible critical
- ⚠️Food Obtained From Approved Source critical
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Taqueria Huandacreo
3308 W 55Th St · Chicago 60632 · Gage Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 27, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
2 critical violations · 9 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Consumer Advisory Provided For Raw/Undercooked Food
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Congress Pizzeria
5925 W Diversey Ave · Chicago 60639 · Belmont Cragin
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 27, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 2 total
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
Paradise Food
206 S Pulaski Rd · Chicago 60624 · West Garfield Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 27, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
1 critical violation · 8 total
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- ⚠️Procedures For Responding To Vomiting And Diarrheal Events critical
- •Garbage & Refuse Properly Disposed; Facilities Maintained
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used
- •Allergen Training As Required
Taquitos Chicago
5825 S Pulaski Rd · Chicago 60629 · West Elsdon
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 27, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 5 total
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips
- •Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
New China Express, Inc
2101 E 71St St · Chicago 60649 · South Shore
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 27, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 5 total
- •Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Jewel / Osco
5320 S Pulaski Rd · Chicago 60632 · West Elsdon
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 26, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 3 total
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Previous Core Violation Corrected
The Ocky Way Tobacco And Food Grill
2 S Pulaski Rd · Chicago 60624 · West Garfield Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 26, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
2 critical violations · 9 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Personal Cleanliness
- •Single-Use/Single-Service Articles: Properly Stored & Used
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Garbage & Refuse Properly Disposed; Facilities Maintained
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
Candlelight
1501-1519 N Kingsbury St · Chicago 60642 · West Town
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 26, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 8 total
- •Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Allergen Training As Required
Jm Seafood Restaurant
3312 S Halsted St · Chicago 60608 · Bridgeport
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 26, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
2 critical violations · 7 total
- ⚠️Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction critical
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Proper Cold Holding Temperatures
- •Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment For Temperature Control
- •Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
- •Utensils, Equipment & Linens: Properly Stored, Dried, & Handled
- •Allergen Training As Required
Chinese #1 Kitchen
5833 S Kedzie Ave · Chicago 60629 · Gage Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 26, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
2 critical violations · 7 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- •Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Previous Core Violation Corrected
Buona
10637 S Western Ave · Chicago 60643 · Beverly
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 25, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 9 total
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Personal Cleanliness
- •In-Use Utensils: Properly Stored
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Hot & Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training
A.P. Deli
1759 E 75Th St · Chicago 60649 · Avalon Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 25, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
5 critical violations · 9 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- ⚠️Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible critical
- ⚠️Food Obtained From Approved Source critical
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- ⚠️Procedures For Responding To Vomiting And Diarrheal Events critical
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used
La Michoacana 1
1850 W 35Th St · Chicago 60609 · Mckinley Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 25, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
1 critical violation · 5 total
- ⚠️Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible critical
- •Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips
- •Sewage & Waste Water Properly Disposed
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Allergen Training As Required
Sinaloa Grocery
4454 W Diversey Ave · Chicago 60639 · Hermosa
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 25, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
5 critical violations · 13 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- ⚠️Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible critical
- ⚠️Food Obtained From Approved Source critical
- •Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- ⚠️Management, Food Employee And Conditional Employee; Knowledge, Responsibilities And Reporting critical
- •Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
Guinness Open Gate Brewery
901 W Kinzie St · Chicago 60642 · Near West Side
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 25, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 7 total
- •Compliance With Variance/Specialized Process/Haccp
- •Variance Obtained For Specialized Processing Methods
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Personal Cleanliness
- •Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips
- •Allergen Training As Required
El Ranchito Food
8327-29 S Pulaski Rd · Chicago 60652 · Ashburn
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 24, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
2 critical violations · 8 total
- ⚠️Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible critical
- •Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •Previous Core Violation Corrected
Mezquite Pollo Express
2809 W 55Th St · Chicago 60632 · Gage Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 24, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
0 critical violations · 11 total
- •Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized
- •Proper Cold Holding Temperatures
- •Consumer Advisory Provided For Raw/Undercooked Food
- •Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
Jerk Yard
1310 E 53Rd St · Chicago 60615 · Hyde Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 24, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
2 critical violations · 9 total
- ⚠️Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties critical
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Approved Thawing Methods Used
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Wiping Cloths: Properly Used & Stored
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training
#1 Chop Suey
4307 W Irving Park Rd · Chicago 60641 · Irving Park
Pass → Fail (clean → cooked) · inspection dated August 24, 2026
Status when this brief was published: not listed as closed.
1 critical violation · 8 total
- ⚠️City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate critical
- •Approved Thawing Methods Used
- •Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
- •Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display
- •Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
- •Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
- •Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean
- •All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training
Neighborhood and local-area movement 🗺️
These are places with at least two qualifying changes in the reporting period—not a claim that every restaurant in the area moved the same way.
Ohare
9 changes: 6 setbacks and 3 improvements
0 closures · 6 downgrades · 0 reopenings · 3 recoveries
Brighton Park
5 changes: 4 setbacks and 1 improvement
0 closures · 4 downgrades · 0 reopenings · 1 recovery
Near West Side
7 changes: 3 setbacks and 4 improvements
0 closures · 3 downgrades · 0 reopenings · 4 recoveries
Gage Park
6 changes: 3 setbacks and 3 improvements
0 closures · 3 downgrades · 0 reopenings · 3 recoveries
West Garfield Park
4 changes: 2 setbacks and 2 improvements
0 closures · 2 downgrades · 0 reopenings · 2 recoveries
Affected chains and same-name locations 📍
Only name groups with at least three operating Chicago locations and a qualifying change this period appear here. Counts describe each group’s current citywide record at publication; shared names do not always prove shared ownership.
Jewel Food Store
25 clean · 5 mid · 0 cooked across 30 rated locations.
3 qualifying changes this period · 30 operating locations tracked
Dunkin Donuts
94 clean · 25 mid · 7 cooked across 126 rated locations.
2 qualifying changes this period · 126 operating locations tracked
El Tarasco
2 clean · 0 mid · 2 cooked across 4 rated locations.
2 qualifying changes this period · 4 operating locations tracked
Sal's On Tap
3 clean · 0 mid · 0 cooked across 3 rated locations.
3 qualifying changes this period · 3 operating locations tracked
How Chicago’s result works
clean = Pass, mid = Pass w/ Conditions, cooked = Fail — Chicago’s official results.
Chicago does not use letter grades. Every inspection ends in one of three official results: Pass, Pass with Conditions, or Fail. Pass with Conditions means violations were found but corrected on the spot or under a deadline — the restaurant is open, with homework. A Fail means serious violations went uncorrected, and it usually brings a re-inspection within days. Chicago also flags “priority” violations, the ones most likely to actually make someone sick. Cooked reads Pass as clean, Pass with Conditions as mid, and Fail as cooked, and shows the itemized violations behind each result.
Corrections and updates
No corrections recorded. The facts above are the frozen publication snapshot; restaurant links show the current record.
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked preserves the authority’s grade and adds clean / mid / cooked only as a comparison layer. Read the methodology → · Browse explainers and stories →