What is The L Station's health inspection score?

The L Station has a SafeDine safety score of 86 out of 100 (Grade A). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was The L Station last inspected?

The L Station was last inspected on January 2, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does The L Station have?

The L Station has 20 total violations across 7 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is The L Station safe to eat at?

Yes, The L Station has an excellent safety record with a score of 86/100. This indicates strong compliance with health and safety standards.

Official Health Record

The L Station

Name: The L Station
Address: 186 N WELLS ST, Chicago, 60606
Rating: 86

186 N WELLS ST, Chicago

Last Inspected: 1/2/2026

▲Improving

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0Excellent

West Loop

Ranked #320 of 1000 in West Loop

Improving

7 inspections

Last: Jan 2, 2026

high confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

14%

Clean Rate

2.9

Avg Violations

5 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Temperature controlHigh Priority

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

SanitationHigh Priority

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-15

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-3 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-4 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-5 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

+12 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 85/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (86/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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186 N WELLS ST, Chicago, IL 60606

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Violation Timeline

Oct 2022

2 inspections

3 basic

Oct

Aug 2023

1 inspections

1 high priority

2 basic

Sep 2023

1 inspections

1 basic

Sep

Dec 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

4 basic

Dec 2025

1 inspections

1 high priority

2 intermediate

3 basic

Dec

Jan 2026

1 inspections

2 basic

Inspection History

7 records on file

4 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection1 License Re-Inspection1 License

Jan 26

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

2 Basic

2 total

96/100inspection score

−4 pts

Basic (2)

−4 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE WATERLINE.MUST PROVIDE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
FLOOR/WALL JUNCTIONS IN BASEMENT IMPROPERLY REPAIRED WITH EXPANDING FOAM AND ROUGH, UNEVEN GRAVEL AND CONCRETE. MUST REPAIR BASEMENT FLOORS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Base deductions−4 pts

Dec 25

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High2 Med3 Basic

6 total

74/100inspection score

−26 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

33PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL−10
FOUND WALK IN COOLER AND REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES.WALK IN COOLER AT 61.9F AND 2 DOOR COOLER AT 62.2F.PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION BOTH COOLERS.

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
FOUND TCS FOOD INSIDE COOLERS(WALK IN COOLER/2 DOOR COOLER)AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. 40 POUNDS RAW CHICKEN AT 61.3F, 10 POUNDS HAMBURGER AT 55.7F, 5 LOBSTERS AT 55.8F, 40 POUNDS OF LAMB AT 53.6F, 5 POUNDS SHRIMP AT 54.2F, 80 POUNDS CHEESE AT 63.2F, 20 QUARTS OF CREAM AT 61.7F, AND 2 DOZEN EGGS AND 4 DOZEN EGGS AT 60.8F.PRIORITY VIOLATION.CITATION ISSUED.153 POUNDS OF TCS FOOD DISPOSED.VALUE OF TCS FOODS 1500 DOLLARS.
38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
FOUND MORE THAN 50 RAT DROPPINGS AT BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND SOME AT PREPARATION AREAS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-020A.MUST NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR AND ELIMINATE RAT ACTIVITY.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
FOUND LEAKY 1 COMPARTMENT SINK BY 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REPAIR.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT PREPARATION AREAS/BASEMENT AND ALONG WALLS UNDER EQUIPMENT.MUST CLEAN. MUST STORE EVERYTHING OFF FLOORS AND AWAY FROM WALLS AT BASEMENT.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.

Base deductions−26 pts

Dec 24

Canvass InspectionPass

1 Med4 Basic

5 total

87/100inspection score

−13 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
Found 2 glue boards with dead cockroaches stuck on. Instructed to remove and monitor.

Basic (4)

−8 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
Main prep area cooler with damaged lid cover, exposed insulation, Instructed to repair and maintain.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
Unable to locate backflow prevention device for basements ice maker, instructed to install one in a clean view.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
Missing several floor tile at main kitchen, instructed to replace and maintain.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
No allergen training certificate for food service manager, Instructed to obtain.

Base deductions−13 pts

Sep 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE /DISH/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−2 pts

Aug 23

Canvass InspectionFail

1 High2 Basic

3 total

86/100inspection score

−14 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

16FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED−10
OBSERVED A WHITE PANEL INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE THAT TOUCHED ICE FILLED WITH A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WASH, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SHELVES WHERE THE SEASONINGS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE /DISH/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−14 pts

Oct 22

License Re-Inspection InspectionCleanPass

No violations

100/100inspection score

Oct 22

License InspectionFail

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

52SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED−2
FOUND FLOOR DRAIN AT 3 COMP SINK BAR NOT DRAINING. FOUND WASTEWATER BACKING UP ONTO FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. SEWAGE SHALL BE CONVEYED TO THE POINT OF DISPOSAL AND MAINTAINED AND OPERATED ACCORDING TO LAW.
53TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED−2
FOUND 2 OUT 2 UNISEX TOILET ROOMS WITHOUT COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED OPERATOR TO PROVIDE.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
FOUND FOOD DEBRIS AND CARDBOARD UNDER AND AROUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLE. MUST CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−6 pts

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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