chicago.fyi
Sign inSign up

Restaurant inspections / Restaurant

Ema

74 W Illinois St, Chicago 60654 · Risk 1 (High)

Pass w/ Conditions

Most recent result

Jul 7, 2026

13

Inspections on record

7

Times passed

1

Times failed

Violations cited on Jul 7, 2026

  1. #22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS STORED AT THE STATED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN PREP COOLER ON COOK LINE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAGGED: MEATBALLS AT 52.0F, CHICKEN AT 48.9F, AND TZATZIKI SAUCE AT 46.0F. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 40LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $1,000. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  2. #33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED COOLER ON PREP LINE WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAGGED CONTAINING TCS ITEMS SUCH AS, CHICKEN, MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 49.8F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Inspection history

DateTypeResultRisk
Jul 7, 2026Canvass Re-InspectionPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Jun 30, 2026CanvassFailRisk 1 (High)
Jun 25, 2025CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
May 20, 2024CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Nov 2, 2023CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Jun 7, 2022ComplaintPassRisk 1 (High)
Jan 11, 2022ComplaintPassRisk 1 (High)
Jul 9, 2020CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Apr 11, 2019CanvassPassRisk 1 (High)
Jul 19, 2018Canvass Re-InspectionPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Jul 18, 2018CanvassPass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)
Jul 24, 2017ComplaintPassRisk 1 (High)
Jun 14, 2016LicensePassRisk 1 (High)

Source

Inspection records are published by the Chicago Department of Public Health. A failed inspection does not necessarily mean an establishment closed — most are re-inspected after correcting violations.

Other inspected places in 60654

Blue Plate Catering Offsite600 W Chicago AveTortoise Club350 N State StFire Bowl Hibachi Restaurant416 W Ontario StFire Bowl Hibachi Restaurant416 W Ontario StBian600 W Chicago AveSoul Vibez431 N Wells St

Ema — questions

Did Ema pass its last health inspection?
Ema at 74 W Illinois St was inspected on Jul 7, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass w/ Conditions". Across 13 inspections on record it has failed 1 time.
What violations were cited at Ema?
The most recent inspection cited 2 violations, beginning with: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS STORED AT THE STATED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN PREP COOLER ON COOK LINE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAGGED: MEATBALLS AT 52.0F, CHICKEN AT 48.9F, AND TZATZIKI SAUCE A
What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?
Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.
Where does this inspection data come from?
The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.

Search another establishment · Browse all inspections · More about 60654