Harvest Food

• resultFail
• critical violations4
• last inspectedMay 28, 2024
• address4949 N Elston Ave, Chicago 60630
• cuisineGrocery Store

Is Harvest Food clean?

Harvest Food is currently Fail from Chicago Department of Public Health, from an inspection on May 28, 2024. Inspectors wrote up 4 critical violations — the kind most directly linked to foodborne illness. On Cooked's ladder that reads cooked 🪳.

What did inspectors find at Harvest Food?

These are the violations recorded at the most recent inspection on May 28, 2024, in plain English, with the city's own wording underneath.

• 📋certified manager paperwork missingcritical
  City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS GROUND MEAT WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🤒sick-employee policy not followedcritical
  Management, Food Employee And Conditional Employee; Knowledge, Responsibilities And Reporting • OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🤒staff working while sickcritical
  Procedures For Responding To Vomiting And Diarrheal Events • OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🚰handwashing sink blocked or barecritical
  Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible • OBSERVED BOTH WASHBOWL SINKS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS MAINTAINING IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES. WASHBOWL IN MAIN TOILET ROOM MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 72.8F AND WASHBOWL IN OFFICE TOILET ROOM MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 72.3F. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT BOTH SINKS AND MAINTAIN THEM AT ACCEPTABLE RANGES BETWEEN 100-120F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN LARGE AND SMALL MEAT PREP ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION. • OBSERVED 2 PREP AREAS (REAR BREAD PREP AREA WITH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND OTHER DOUGH PREP AREA ON SOUTHSIDE OF BUILDING) WITHOUT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SINKS FULLY SUPPLIED AND CAPABLE OF DELIVERING HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER PRESSURE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. • OBSERVED NO SOAP AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN LARGE MEAT PREP ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SOAP AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION. • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT WASHBOWL SINKS LOCATED IN TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
• 🧽surfaces not properly sanitized
  Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized • OBSERVED NO SANITIZER ON SITE FOR SANITIZING DISHES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SANITIZER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🧊food not cooled down right
  Proper Date Marking And Disposition • OBSERVED GROUND MEATS IN LARGE MEAT PREPARATION ROOM STORED IN BOWLS AND PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH NO DATE MARKING. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $120. INSTRUCTED TO DATEMARK ALL TCS ITEMS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🌡️thermometers missing
  Thermometers Provided & Accurate • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATORS LOCATED THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
• 🪳pests in the house
  Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present • OBSERVED OPEN DOORS AT REAR LOADING DOCK AREA AND IN REAR BREAD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CLOSED, TIGHT FITTING OUT OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. • OBSERVED 25 LIVE ROACHES IN CABINETS AND ON WALLS ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR BREAD PREP AREA AND APPROXIMATELY 100 RODENT DROPPINGS NEAR HANDWAHSING SINK IN LARGE MEAT CUTTING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PESTS AND DROPPINGS FROM FACILITY, RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN FACILITY FREE OF PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
• ⚠️Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display • OBSERVED OUTDOOR FOOD PREP AREA AT REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, ETC. FROM OUTDOOR AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. • OBSERVED SOILD CARDBOARD ON FLOOR OF LARGE MEAT CUTTING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE ONLY SMOOTH, CLEANABLE ITEMS IN FACILITY.
  Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display • OBSERVED OUTDOOR FOOD PREP AREA AT REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, ETC. FROM OUTDOOR AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. • OBSERVED SOILD CARDBOARD ON FLOOR OF LARGE MEAT CUTTING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE ONLY SMOOTH, CLEANABLE ITEMS IN FACILITY.
• ⚠️Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN CHEMICAL SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  Warewashing Facilities: Installed, Maintained & Used; Test Strips • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN CHEMICAL SANITIZER TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
• ⚠️Sewage & Waste Water Properly Disposed • OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR BREAD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
  Sewage & Waste Water Properly Disposed • OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR BREAD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
• ⚠️Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned • OBSERVED NO TOILET TISSUE IN RESTROOM LOCATED NEAR FRONT DOOR TO FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN TOILET TISSUE IN ALL TOILET ROOMS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
  Toilet Facilities: Properly Constructed, Supplied, & Cleaned • OBSERVED NO TOILET TISSUE IN RESTROOM LOCATED NEAR FRONT DOOR TO FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN TOILET TISSUE IN ALL TOILET ROOMS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
• 🧹floors, walls, or ceilings grimy
  Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN CENTRAL LOADING DOCK AREA AND OUTSIDE AT REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
• ⚠️Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used • OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN REAR BREAD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH PROPERLY FUNCTIONING MECHANICAL VENTILATION. • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON VENT INSIDE OFFICE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  Adequate Ventilation & Lighting; Designated Areas Used • OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN REAR BREAD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH PROPERLY FUNCTIONING MECHANICAL VENTILATION. • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON VENT INSIDE OFFICE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
• ⚠️All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • OBSERVED 5 FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training • OBSERVED 5 FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

When was Harvest Food last inspected?

Harvest Food has 4 inspections on record going back to August 28, 2023.

Harvest Food vs Albany Park

Albany Park runs 58% clean across 828 tracked restaurants — 478 clean, 149 mid, 198 cooked.

Against the 828 spots Cooked tracks in Albany Park, this one comes out cleaner than 21% of them.

Other spots in Albany Park

• ✓ Taqueria San Juanito
  clean · July 7, 2025
• ✓! Taco Pros
  mid · January 21, 2026
• ✓ D&D Convenience Store Inc
  clean · October 10, 2023
• ✓ Rosita's Taco & Cocina
  clean · January 29, 2026
• ✓ Jerez Tacos Restaurant
  clean · February 5, 2025
• ✓ Tamales Mi Chula
  clean · June 16, 2025

See every restaurant inspection in Albany Park →

How Chicago grades restaurants

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.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health via Chicago Data Portal. Cooked refreshes this data daily — this listing's most recent inspection is dated May 28, 2024. Inspection results describe one moment in a kitchen's life, not a permanent verdict.