The Chicago Restaurants, Grocery Stores Ordered Closed Last Week

CHICAGO, IL — Dozens of Chicago restaurants and grocery stores are slapped with fines for health violations each week, but it takes a serious violation for a restaurant to be ordered closed, the city said. Places are ordered shuttered for reasons such as roach and mice infestations, major plumbing problems, food stored at the wrong temperatures and basic food safety rules not being followed, the city said.

Less-serious violations, which don't require closures, often include issues such as poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, worn seal on refrigerators, a few fruit flies and inappropriate materials like cardboard and paper sitting in the wrong places. Restaurants and stores are required to fix those problems immediately.

These were the restaurants and grocery stores that were ordered closed last week, according to the city's Department of Health:

• Elvia Gama at 3333 W. Armitage Ave. in Logan Square was ordered closed after health inspectors found plumbing issues at the restaurant, the city said. The restaurant was ordered to fix a leaking pipe at sinks in the rear prep area, according to the city's data portal. A hand sink was inaccessible, the city said. Rice and beans were also being stored at incorrect temperatures, city inspectors said.
• Onesti Pizzeria at 2755 W. 71st St. on the South Side was ordered closed after health inspectors discovered sewage and waste water backing up into a mop sink and overflowing from a grease trap under the sink, according to the city's data portal.

Information on which Chicago restaurants and grocery stores have been ordered closed is not available on the city's data portal. The city's public health department has committed to sending Patch weekly reports, and we will publish those as long as they are made available.

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