Did See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21 pass its last health inspection?

See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21 at 5249 W Madison St was inspected on Jan 26, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 22 inspections on record it has failed 4 times.

What violations were cited at See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21?

The most recent inspection cited 7 violations, beginning with: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES EATING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA OUTSIDE OF PREP AREA FOR EMPLOYEE MEALS.

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.

Restaurant inspections / Restaurant

See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21

5249 W Madison St, Chicago 60644 · Risk 1 (High)

Pass

Most recent result

Jan 26, 2026

Inspections on record

Times passed

Times failed

Violations cited on Jan 26, 2026

#6PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES EATING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA OUTSIDE OF PREP AREA FOR EMPLOYEE MEALS.
#37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED SOME BULK CONTAINERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
#39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT COVERED, FOOD ITEMS UNCOVERED AND STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY COVER AND ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
#41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
#43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED HANDLE OF DISPENSING UTENSIL LAYING ON ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE AND SLICED FRUIT INSIDE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE DISPENSING UTENSIL HANDLE ABOVE FOOD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
#49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
#55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.

Inspection history

Date	Type	Result	Risk
Jan 26, 2026	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 16, 2025	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 10, 2024	Short Form Complaint	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 20, 2024	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 11, 2024	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 25, 2023	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Mar 11, 2022	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 30, 2021	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 22, 2021	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 15, 2021	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
May 19, 2020	Complaint	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jan 14, 2020	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 13, 2019	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Feb 28, 2018	Complaint Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Feb 20, 2018	Complaint	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 25, 2017	Short Form Complaint	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
May 26, 2017	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Oct 19, 2016	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Oct 7, 2016	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Jan 7, 2016	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Sep 28, 2015	Complaint	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Feb 6, 2015	License	Pass	Risk 1 (High)

Source

Food Inspectionsupdated weeklyofficial portal ↗

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 60644

Gus Bakery901 S Cicero Ave See Thru Asian Cuisine Inc5656 W Roosevelt Rd Madeas Family Soul Cafe & Grill Inc.5419 W Madison St Subway5630 W Roosevelt Rd Karol'S4813 W Harrison St Cc Grill & More5-7 S Cicero Ave

See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21 — questions

Did See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21 pass its last health inspection?: See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21 at 5249 W Madison St was inspected on Jan 26, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 22 inspections on record it has failed 4 times.
What violations were cited at See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21?: The most recent inspection cited 7 violations, beginning with: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES EATING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA OUTSIDE OF PREP AREA FOR EMPLOYEE MEALS.
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.

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