FAIL Risk 1 (High)

BRONZEVILLE SOUL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

BRONZEVILLE SOUL 4655 S DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR, CHICAGO 60653 Restaurant
November 25, 2025 Complaint License #2856883
13
Total Violations
4
Critical
2
Major
7
Minor

Inspection Summary

This restaurant was inspected by the Chicago Department of Public Health on November 25, 2025. The inspection type was "Complaint" and resulted in a Fail outcome.

This establishment is classified as Risk 1 (High), which determines the inspection frequency and focus areas.

The inspector documented 13 violations during this inspection, including 4 critical violations that required immediate attention.

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

13
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK LOCATED IN BOTH UNISEX TOILET ROOMS WASHBOWLS AS WELL AS HANDSINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. PRIROITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
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 #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 LBS COOKED CHICKEN PARTS, 4 LBS MASHED POTATOES, 5 LBS GRAVY STORED INSIDE 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED SAID FOOD ITEMS TEMPERATURE RANGING BETWEEN 55-103F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS @41F AND MAINTAIN. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED SAID FOOD AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
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 #36
MINOR
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NO METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETER AVAILABLE ON-SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION TO TEST INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AS REQUIRED.
Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.
Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.
50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED BACK DOOR LEADING TO OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE AREA NOT RODENT PROOF. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BARRIER IN MIDDLE DOOR WHERE RUST IS PRESENT AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.
No pests or animals allowed in facility.
No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 135 OR MORE SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISE IS CORNER UNDERNEATH WIRED SHELVING RACKS, ON TOP OF STORED UNUSED EQUIPMENT, GLASS PLATES ,ALONGSIDE ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT (FRYERS, PREP TABLES AND 2 DOOR COOLING AND FREEZING UNITS), SCATTTERED UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND AROUND HOT WATER TANK, FRONT STORAGE SPACE CONNECTED TO DINING ROOM WHERE TABLES AND MATS ARE STORED.RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE, REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.
Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.
No pests or animals allowed in facility.
No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.
Violation #40
MINOR
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR AND BEARD HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION
Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.
Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.
Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT LOCATED IN PREP AREA (FRYERS, STOVES, PREP TABLE, COOLING UNITS' INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES WITH HEAVY BUILD UP ACUUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AT FREQUENCY TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #54
MAJOR
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH EXTERIOR SURFACES ACCUMULATED WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.
Refuse must be properly contained and removed.
Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.
Violation #54
MAJOR
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.
Refuse must be properly contained and removed.
Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WALLS DOWN TO WALL BASE THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD AND GREASE SPLATTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY IN NEED OF CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE IN CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILLS, AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE UNNECESARY ITEMS AND ELEVATE OFF FLOORS AT LEAST 6 INCHES TO PREVENT HIDING SPACES FOR PEST.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN WALLBASE MISSING ON BASE OF WALL IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN WALLBASE MISSING ON BASE OF WALL IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

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