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PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

AROMA HOT POT Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

AROMA HOT POT 2026 S CLARK ST, CHICAGO 60616 Restaurant
March 17, 2025 Canvass License #2977942
10
Total Violations
5
Critical
3
Major
2
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

10
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING THE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.
Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.
Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.
Violation #16
CRITICAL
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE (NOT IN USE) NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY SANITIZING. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE DISHWASHING MACHINE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025, NO CITATION ISSUED
Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.
All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.
Violation #21
CRITICAL
PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND SPRING ROLLS (129.0F), SEASME BALLS 99.8F, AND FRIED FISH TOFU (100.1F) ON THE FRONT SELF-SERVICE BUFFET. APPROXIMATELY 6LBS AT $33 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD HOT TCS FOODS AT 135F OR ABOVE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.
Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.
Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.
Violation #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND A CONTAINER OF RAW FISH (52.0F) IN THE 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, SLICED HONEYDEW MELON (52.1F) IN THE SELF-SERVICE BUFFET IN A COLD HOLDING UNIT. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 13LBS AT $50 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #21
Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.
Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.
Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.
Violation #28
CRITICAL
TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A BUCKET WITH TOWELS AND A SPRAY BOTTLE WITH UNKNOWN CHEMICAL AND NOT LABELED. THE BUCKET OF CHEMICALS WAS STORED ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND THE SPRAY BOTTLE WAS STORED ON THE A LOWER SHELF BEHIND A FOOD PREP TABLE. MUST PROVIDE PROPER MARKING ON ALL CHEMICAL CONTAINERS. BUCKET AND SPRAYER BOTTLE WAS LABELED PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-015, CITATION ISSUED
Unpasteurized products can contain dangerous pathogens.
Only pasteurized dairy and eggs in certain situations; no prohibited foods.
Pasteurized eggs for recipes not fully cooked; Pasteurized dairy products; No home-prepared foods.
Violation #35
MINOR
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A BUCKET OF RAW FISH AND WATER BEING THAWED IN THE ONE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REEAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTURCTED TO USE PROPER THAWING METHODS AND MAINTAIN.
Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.
Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.
Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.
Violation #37
MAJOR
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED TWO BULK DRY INGREDIENTS AND A SQUIRTT BOTTLE NOT LABELED WITH THE FOOD ITEMS COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.
All food properly labeled with required information.
Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED RAW MEATS PLATED FOR SERVICE STORED NEAR THE HANDWASHING SINK/ PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE FOOD ITEM TO AVOID CONTAMINATING FOOD ITEMS AFTER HANDWASHING.
Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
Prevent contamination during all food handling.
Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLER MUST TAKE CORUSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.
Smoking prohibited in food establishments.
No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLER MUST TAKE CORUSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.
Smoking prohibited in food establishments.
No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections