Rat Poop Found at Chop Suey Restaurant: Health Inspections

Patch examined inspection reports in Bucktown and Wicker Park during May and June. Information has been compiled using publicly available data published to the website of the Chicago Department of Public Health's Food Protection Program.

Restaurants can pass, pass with conditions or fail using a standardized procedure. Establishments that pass don't have any critical or serious violations. Those that receive 'pass with conditions' had serious violations, but the violations were corrected during the inspection. Failed establishments had serious violations that weren't correctable during the inspection. A fail rating does not mean the business's license is automatically suspended.

All inspections are done on a routine canvass, unless otherwise noted.

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McDonald’s, 1951 N. Western Ave.
Inspection date: May 23
Results: Pass
Violations: Management needs to repair the water leak in the three-compartment sink and provide a missing floor drain cover. 

Miko’s, 1846 N. Damen Ave.
Inspection date: May 24
Results: Pass
Violations: All violations from a previous inspection were corrected, with no evidence of mouse droppings.

Peabody, 1444 W. Augusta Blvd.
Inspection date: May 24
Results: Pass
Violations: The inspector found dirty floors along the wall base and behind equipment in the boiler room. Supplies also weren’t stored correctly; they need to be at least 6 inches off the floor and away from walls.

Sabin Magnet, 2216 W. Hirsch St.
Inspection date: May 28
Results: Pass
Violations: Hot water wasn’t available in one of the restrooms and the hallways weren’t maintained, with damaged floors and walls. 

Modern Asian Kitchen, 1924 W. Division St.
Inspection date: May 29
Results: Pass
Violations: Management needs to install a shield in between sinks and apply non-toxic sealant to exposed brick surfaces. The inspector also found unlabeled bulk food containers. 

Domino’s Pizza, 2455 W. Fullerton Ave.
Inspection date: June 4
Results: Pass
Violations: The hood and filters all had excessive dust build-up. The inspector also discovered missing thermometers in the cooler and shields on the light bulbs. 

K&J Lee Chop Suey, 2415 W. Diversey Ave.
Inspection date: June 5
Results: Fail
Violations: This visit was the result of a complaint.

Inspectors found about 30 rat droppings beneath the cook line workstation and issued a serious citation. The pest control logbook needs to be maintained and a 1-inch gap in the front entry door needs to be rodent-proofed.

The hand sink wasn’t accessible because articles and a condiment cart blocked it, earning another critical violation.

The walls, cooking equipment and floors need to be seriously cleaned throughout the kitchen. Management also needs to remove clutter and store multi-use utensils correctly.