The Chicago Restaurants, Grocery Stores Ordered Closed Last Week

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

All American Lounge at 3018 W. North Ave. in Logan Square was ordered to close after the restaurant failed to fix a previous warning over a rodent infestation, the city said. More than 60 rodent droppings were found mixed with dirt on the lower ledges of the restaurant's bar, in the basement, in the fish tank and under tables, the city said. Open rodent poison was also found on the second floor landing, health inspectors said.

Winnie The Pooh Preschool at 6043 N. California Ave. in West Ridge was ordered closed after health inspectors found no hot running water at the school.

Macau Tasty House at 2826 S. Wentworth Ave. in Armour Square was ordered shuttered after the city said thousands of mouse droppings were found throughout the restaurant's kitchen, basement and storage room.

Jersey Mike's Subs at 200 W. Monroe St. in the Loop was ordered closed after health inspectors found no hot running water in the restaurant.

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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