RecordWell Data

The Good Life Soul Food Cafe

11226-11238 S HALSTED ST, Chicago, IL 60628 · Cook County

54cited violations
0serious tier
6inspections
49tier not stated

Establishment

Type
Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Restaurant)
Inspected by
Chicago Department of Public Health
License / ID
2993773
Status
Risk 1 (High)
Official record
Chicago Department of Public Health inspection reports

Other public records for this business

Year by year

YearInspectionsViolationsSerious
20262190
20252110
20242240

Inspections

  1. Feb 3, 2026 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.

    • Severity not stated

      PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

      FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Severity not stated

      WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

      WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.

  2. Jan 27, 2026 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

      RODENT DROPPINGS ON THE PREMISES. 60 BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT/FRYERS; 40 IN THE FRYERS; 60 IN THE CORNERS OF THE MOP SINK AREA AND 40 ALONG THE WALL BASE BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BAKERY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICES. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

    • Severity not stated

      PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

      FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Severity not stated

      WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

      WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.

  3. Apr 2, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

  4. Mar 26, 2025 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN BAKERY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

      OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON COMPRESSOR UNIT NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAKERY, INSIDE COMPRESSOR UNIT OF PREP COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA, ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS NEAR UTILITY SINK AND WATER HEATER IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

    • Severity not stated

      INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

      OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF SOUTHEAST DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      OBSERVED NO LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

      PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2605791 ON 11-1-24:39-OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. 58- OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED

  5. Nov 1, 2024 License Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.

    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

      OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

      OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

  6. Oct 23, 2024 License · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

      OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

    • Severity not stated

      PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

      OBSERVED PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 47.2F AND SEVERAL COOLERS NOT OPERABLE. ALL COOLERS MUST MAINTAIN 41 FOR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

      OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.

    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER FRONT COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      OBSERVED STOPPERS NOT OPERABLE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.

    • Severity not stated

      HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

      OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT MULTIPLE SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT LEAST 100F AT HAND WASHING SINKS AND 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)

    • Severity not stated

      TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

      OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

      OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED PEELING SURFACES IN CEILING OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED DEBRIS ONFLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

      OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health. History last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.