Before you dine, check the sign.

ESSENCE OF INDIA

4601 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60625

Health Inspection: good

Official health department data. Inspected 2025-11-19; refreshed 2026-10-13. May lag the official record. Check the official source

8 findings at the latest imported inspection (2025-11-19), classified as noncritical violations. These dated findings do not mean the establishment failed overall or that issues remain unresolved.

Inspection history and recorded findings

2025-11-19: Canvass

Pass

  • Not Critical: CHI-40 — PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: NOTED ALL OF THE KITCHEN STAFF WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES.
  • Not Critical: CHI-37 — FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE AND BULK SPICES ON THE COOKS LINE NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
  • Not Critical: CHI-39 — CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND STORED DISHES/SPICES.
  • Not Critical: CHI-49 — NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE TINFOIL AS LINER INSIDE THE COOKS LINE SMALL COOLER OR CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER ON THE TOP OF THE SAME COOLER. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE SURFACE.----NOTED INTERIOR OF THE COOKS LINE COOLER DIRTY WITH FOOD SPILLAGE AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  • Not Critical: CHI-49 — NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: NOTED EXTREMELY DIRTY AND DAMAGED PLASTIC SPICE CONTAINERS ON TOP SHELVING ON THE COOKS LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
  • Not Critical: CHI-55 — PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOORS. MUST NOT USE CLOTH CARPETING MATS IN THE KITCHEN OR DISH AREAS OF THE KITCHEN.
  • Not Critical: CHI-55 — PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS FOR THE BUSINESS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
  • Not Critical: CHI-57 — ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NOTED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

Inspection results are separate from diner opinions. Favorable overall ratings do not negate individual findings.

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