What is SO Soulful Eatery's health inspection score?

SO Soulful Eatery has a SafeDine safety score of 10 out of 100 (Grade C). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was SO Soulful Eatery last inspected?

SO Soulful Eatery was last inspected on March 12, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does SO Soulful Eatery have?

SO Soulful Eatery has 26 total violations across 3 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is SO Soulful Eatery safe to eat at?

SO Soulful Eatery has a safety score of 10/100, which suggests room for improvement. Review the detailed inspection history on SafeDine for more information.

Official Health Record

SO Soulful Eatery

Name: SO Soulful Eatery
Address: 3944 W CHICAGO AVE, Chicago, 60651
Rating: 10

3944 W CHICAGO AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 12mo ago

▼Declining

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0Poor

Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in Chicago

Declining

3 inspections

Last: Mar 12, 2025

low confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

33%

Clean Rate

8.7

Avg Violations

13 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Employee illnessHigh Priority

Sick employee handling food — illness transmission risk

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-90

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-6 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-7 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-13 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-12 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-33 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

100

3rd

30% weight

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

3944 W CHICAGO AVE, Chicago, IL 60651

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Violation Timeline

Sep 2024

2 inspections

3 high priority

1 intermediate

10 basic

Sep

Mar 2025

1 inspections

4 high priority

2 intermediate

6 basic

Inspection History

3 records on file

1 Canvass2 License

Mar 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

4 High2 Med6 Basic

12 total3 risk factors

23/100inspection score

−62 pts

High Priority (4)

−40 pts

2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS BEING STORED, PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CFM MUST BE ON SITE AND PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED BLANK COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN POLICY WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
5PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTSRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO SPILL/CLEAN UP KIT ON SITE FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS AND NO CORRESPONDING CLEAN UP PROCEDURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

35APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED−5
OBSERVED CHICKEN IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT THAWING IMPROPER WHILE SITTING IN SINK WITH STAGNANT WATER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW PROPER UNDER RUNNING WATER.
36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLER#2 AND DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Basic (6)

−12 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT HAIR NET/RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED LEAKING PIPE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AT VENT HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CURRENT FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE POSTED FOR CFM WITH FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Base deductions−62 pts

Risk factor bonus (3× +5)−15 pts

Sep 24

License InspectionPass w/ Conditions

3 High1 Med10 Basic

14 total3 risk factors

30/100inspection score

−55 pts

High Priority (3)

−30 pts

2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 11:00AM TO 11:40PM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. AT 11:40AM CERTIFIED MANAGER LESTER SWIMS ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTSRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

22PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 40LBS OF GRILLED CHICKEN AT 50.8F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL 40LBS AT $100. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

Basic (10)

−20 pts

41WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED−2
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER OIL FILTERING UNIT WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED UNDER HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR, UTILITY SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN, WATER STAINED, DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD RESIDUE IN BOTTOM OF STANDING STAINLESS STEEL FREEZER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN GATED STORAGE AREA IN REAR LEADING TO GARBAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ORGANIZE ITEMS AND ELEVATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF GROUND TO PREVENT HIDING SPACES FOR PEST. MUST MAINTAIN PREMISES.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT, AND OTHER SOIL ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UTILITY. PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−55 pts

Risk factor bonus (3× +5)−15 pts

Sep 24

License InspectionCleanNot Ready

No violations

100/100inspection score

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Community Safety Reports

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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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