What is Mela's health inspection score?

Mela has a SafeDine safety score of 77 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Mela last inspected?

Mela was last inspected on February 17, 2026. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Mela have?

Mela has 15 total violations across 2 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Mela safe to eat at?

Mela has a good safety record with a score of 77/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Mela serve?

Mela serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Mela

Name: Mela
Address: 162 N FRANKLIN ST, Chicago, 60606
Rating: 77

162 N FRANKLIN ST, Chicago

Last Inspected: 2/17/2026

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0Good

American•West Loop

Ranked #548 of 1000 in West LoopBetter than 22% of american restaurants

Improving

2 inspections

Last: Feb 17, 2026

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

7.5

Avg Violations

3 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Pest issues

Evidence of pests found during inspection

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Other violation

Regulatory compliance issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-23

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-4 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-2 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-12 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Inspection Timeline

+21 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% 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

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162 N FRANKLIN ST, Chicago, IL 60606

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Inspection History

2 records on file

1 License Re-Inspection1 License

Feb 26

License Re-Inspection InspectionLatestPass

5 Basic

5 total

90/100inspection score

−10 pts

Basic (5)

−10 pts

49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT TO BE SOILED: INTERIOR BASINS OF HOT-HOLDING WELL IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA SOILED WITH RUST DEBRIS; SIDES AND INTERIOR CAVITY OF PIZZA OVEN AND DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS; INTERIOR CAVITY OF SEVERAL LINE COOLERS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREPARATION AREAS SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED CEILING ABOVE THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA TO BE IN POOR REPAIR, HEAVY EVIDENCE OF VISIBLE WATER DAMAGE AND CEILING CRACKED WITH OPEN HOLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE CEILING ABOVE THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO ELIMINATE VISIBLE WATER DAMAGE AND OPEN HOLE AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES TO BE SOILED: FLOOR OF THE FRONT AND REAR SERVICE AREAS SOILED WITH GREASE, RUST DEBRIS, AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS; FLOOR BENEATH 2-COMPARTMENT AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS IN THE REAR PREPARATION/WAREWASHING AREAS SOILED WITH RUST DEBRIS, FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AREA SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON FILTERS AND INTERIOR SURFACES OF VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM ABOVE DEEP FRYERS AND OVENS IN THE REAR SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM AND FILTERS AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM AND FILTERS OF ADEQUATE NUMBER AND CAPACITY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ALONG INTERIOR SURFACES OF VENTILATION SYSTEM AND ADJACENT PHYSICAL FACILITY SURFACES.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MISSING ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITH ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE(S) ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−10 pts

Feb 26

License InspectionFail

1 High1 Med8 Basic

10 total

69/100inspection score

−31 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED FRONT PREPARATION AREA HANDWASHING SINK MISSING SIGNAGE NOTIFYING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

38INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT−5
OBSERVED FIVE DEAD COCKROACHES IN THE BASIN OF THE WAREWASHING AREA HANDWASHING SINK. NO OTHER COCKROACHES, OTHER PESTS, OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY OBSERVED ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD COCKROACHES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA(S), NOTIFY PEST CONTROL SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS OF THE FACILITY FROM DEAD OR TRAPPED INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS TO PREVENT BUILD UP AND DECOMPOSITION AND MAINTAIN.

Basic (8)

−16 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES TO BE NOT SMOOTH OR EASILY-CLEANABLE: ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO LINE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA; FABRIC STRIPS USED TO WRAP NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF WALL-MOUNTED VEGETABLE SLICER IN THE REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL AND FABRIC STRIPS AND MAINTAIN ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.
49NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT TO BE SOILED: INTERIOR BASINS OF HOT-HOLDING WELL IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA SOILED WITH RUST DEBRIS; SIDES AND INTERIOR CAVITY OF PIZZA OVEN AND DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA SOILED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS; INTERIOR CAVITY OF SEVERAL LINE COOLERS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREPARATION AREAS SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED FLOOR-MOUNTED PLUMBING AND UTILITY LINES BEHIND AND BENEATH DEEP FRYER AND OVENS IN THE REAR SERVICE AREA TO BE LINED WITH ALUMINUM FOIL AND SOILED FABRIC STRIPS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL AND FABRIC STRIPS AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING AND UTILITY FIXTURES SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
OBSERVED FACILITY HAS NO CONTRACTED WASTE REMOVAL SERVICE AND NO COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER AVAILABLE FOR USE ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LICENSED WASTE REMOVAL SERVICE AND MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER OF ADEQUATE SIZE AND CAPACITY TO REMOVE ALL FOOD WASTE ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR USE AT ALL TIMES OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(B) NO CITATION ISSUED.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED CEILING ABOVE THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA TO BE IN POOR REPAIR, HEAVY EVIDENCE OF VISIBLE WATER DAMAGE AND CEILING CRACKED WITH OPEN HOLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE CEILING ABOVE THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO ELIMINATE VISIBLE WATER DAMAGE AND OPEN HOLE AND MAINTAIN ALL PHYSICAL FACILITIES IN GOOD REPAIR.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL FACILITIES TO BE SOILED: FLOOR OF THE FRONT AND REAR SERVICE AREAS SOILED WITH GREASE, RUST DEBRIS, AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS; FLOOR BENEATH 2-COMPARTMENT AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS IN THE REAR PREPARATION/WAREWASHING AREAS SOILED WITH RUST DEBRIS, FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AREA SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ON FILTERS AND INTERIOR SURFACES OF VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM ABOVE DEEP FRYERS AND OVENS IN THE REAR SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM AND FILTERS AND MAINTAIN VENTILATION HOOD SYSTEM AND FILTERS OF ADEQUATE NUMBER AND CAPACITY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DUST DEBRIS ALONG INTERIOR SURFACES OF VENTILATION SYSTEM AND ADJACENT PHYSICAL FACILITY SURFACES.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MISSING ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITH ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE(S) ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES.

Base deductions−31 pts

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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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