Food Safety Report: Pierogi Kitchen, 1856 W North Ave, Chicago, Il, USA.

Chicago, 60622 Illinois, United States

Report date: Jun 8, 2026
1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
- comments: no person in charge on site at time of inspection. Must have a person in charge on site at all times. Priority foundation violation.

2. City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
- comments: no certified food manager on site while tcs foods were being prepared and served(beef, fish). Instructed to have a cfm on site at all times while tcs foods were being prepared and served. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-012. Citation issued.

10. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
- comments: observed no employee hand washing signage at hand sink at bar. Must provide.

22. Proper cold holding temperatures
- comments: observed raw fish at improper cold holding temperature at 64f in prep cooler. Also observed numerous tcs foods at improper cold holding temperature such as pork, saurkraut with carrots and sausage, raw beef, raw sausage, mixed greens, eggs, cooked pierogi stuffed with cabbage, beef stew, cheese, mushroom pate with butter, cooked pasta, cooked fish, cooked potatoes and raw chicken all ranging from 46-69f in prep coolers. Time temperature control for safety foods must be at an internal temperature of 41f or below. Food discarded and denatured. Food weighing approximately 100 lbs at a cost of $2,000. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

33. Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
- comments: observed improper ambient temperature inside of prep cooler at 64f. Also observed improper ambient temperature inside of prep cooler at 49f. Both prep coolers are located in main kitchen prep area. Ambient temperature must be at 41f or below inside of a cold holding unit. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

38. Insects, rodents, & animals not present
- comments: observed over 7 live house flies throughout facility. Instructed to eliminate all evidence of pest activity on premises. Instructed to clean and sanitize all affected areas. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
- comments: 3-305. 11--observed food containers stored improperly on the floor in the prep area. Instructed to store properly by elevating at least six inches from the floor on raised shelving units. Observed food items stored in the prep cooler uncovered. Instructed to cover with food lids.

40. Personal cleanliness
- comments: 2-402. 11--observed food handler prepping food with no hair restraint. Instructed to provide.

41. Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
- comments: observed multiple wet wiping cloths stored on prep tables in main kitchen prep area. Must store in sanitizing solution bucket when not in use.

43. In-use utensils: properly stored
- comments: 3-304. 12--observed in-use utensils stored improperly directly inside of the food container/food item in prep area. Instructed to stroe properly between usage.

44. Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
- comments: 4-903. 11 (a;b;d)--observed plates not inverted. Instructed to invert plates after sanitizing and air drying.

49. Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
- comments: 4-601. 11(b)--observed grease buildup and food debris on cooking equipment, walls, surrounding floors in the kitchen/prep areas. Instructed to clean and sanitize.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: 6-501. 12--observed debris, dirt and dust buildup on the floors and corners throughout the facility. Instructed to clean.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: 6-501. 114--observed unnecessary items, clutter, unused and broken equipment stored on floor in the front basement storage area. Instructed to remove.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed numerous missing ceiling tiles missing in main kitchen prep area. Must repair.

55. Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
- comments: observed torn baseboard under hand washing sink in basement prep area. Must repair.

56. Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
- comments: observed two burnt out lights at ventilation hood located in main kitchen prep area. Must provide adequate lighting.

56. Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
- comments: observed heavy dust build up on ventilation filters at hood in kitchen prep area. Must clean and maintain.

57. All food employees have food handler training
- comments: observed expired food handler training certificates on site. Must provide food handler training for current food handlers.

58. Allergen training as required
- comments: observed no allergen training on site. Must provide allergen training for all certified food managers.

60. Previous core violation corrected
- comments: observed continued noncompliance from previous report #2618677 dated 6/5/25. Item #38 6-202. 13 fly traps mounted in prep kitchen above food and clean utensils. Instructed to remove. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.

61. Summary report displayed and visible to the public
- comments: summary report not posted from last inspection on 3/24/2026, report #2633019. Instructed to post recent summary report visible to the public at all times. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-010(b). Citation issued.

62. Compliance with clean indoor air ordinance
- comments: observed no smoking sign posted on premises. Instructed to post no smoking signs at all times. 7-32-020(a). Citation issued. No smoking sign shall be clearly and conspicuously posted in each public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited by this chapter by the owner, operator, manager, or other person in control of that place.

Source: chicago.gov