Skip to content
InspectionsSign in
SchoolLicence 23301

John Garvy Elementary School

5225 N Oak Park (6800w), Chicago 60656

Address profile
Latest verdictConditionalSep 18, 2026 · 25 days ago
Inspections28since Apr 28, 2010
Fail rate39.3%11 of 28 verdictscitywide 22.4% · above average
City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

  • Pass46%
  • Conditional14%
  • Fail39%
28 inspections from 2010 to 2026 · hover a mark
201020132016201920222025
  1. ConditionalSep 18, 2026CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 2

      City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate

      Observed no certified food manager on site upon arrival. Instructed manager to ensure a certified food manager is on site at all times. Manager arrived on site approximately 20 minutes after inspection began. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012

    2. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      Observed the only hand washing sink which services kitchen and toilet room with no paper towels stocked. Instructed manager to ensure paper towels are stocked in said hand washing sink at all times. Engineer stocked hand washing sink. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

    3. 22

      Proper cold holding temperatures

      Observed tcs foods held at inadequate temperatures ranging from 49-52 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold tcs foods are held at 41 f and below. Manager discarded 10 pounds of cheese, 8 pounds of turkey and 40 pounds of yogurt ( $200) priority violation 7-38-005.

    4. 33

      Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

      Observed cooler held at an inadequate ambient air temperature of 49 f. Instructed manager to ensure all cold holding units are held at 41 f and below. Priority violation 7-38-005 cooler tagged.

  2. PassSep 8, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
  3. PassSep 25, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 39

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

      Observed boxed food items on floor in dry storage area. Instructed the person in charge to elevate all food items six inches fro floor on raised shelving units and maintain.

    2. 53

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

      Observed no covered trash receptacle in the employee toilet room near the rear washing area. Instructed the person in charge to provide a covered trash receptacle for the employee toilet room and maintain.

  4. PassSep 20, 2023Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 55

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

      6-201.11--observed section of ceiling in poor repair with peeling paint debris inside the 1st and 2nd floor boys washrooms (main building).instructed to repair and maintain to smooth,easily cleanable surfaces.

  5. FailSep 13, 2023CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 54

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

      Observed outside container used for recycling boxes excessively overflowing with cardboard boxes.instructed management that all recyclables must be stored inside receptacles so that they are inaccessible to insects and rodents. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(b).

    2. 55

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

      Observed section of ceiling in poor repair with peeling paint debris inside the 1st and 2nd floor boys washrooms (main building).instructed to repair and maintain to smooth,easily cleanable surfaces.

  6. PassSep 1, 2022CanvassRisk 1 (High)
  7. PassSep 14, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      Instructed to provide handwashing signage at handsink in serving/dining area.

    2. 55

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

      Found walls in poor repair between 3 compartment sink and handsink in dishwashing area and wall inside employee washroom. Instructed to repair and maintain (must be smooth and easily cleanable).

  8. ConditionalSep 11, 2020CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 22

      Proper cold holding temperatures

      Observed tcs foods at improper temperatures inside refrigerator. Found try of ground beef @ 48.3f-52.9f. Instructed all tcs foods must be held @ 41f or less at all times. Pic discarded 6lbs of denatured foods during inspection. Operator estimates value to be approximately $10. Priority violation 7-38-005. No citation issued.

  9. PassSep 19, 2019Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
  10. FailSep 17, 2019Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 59

      Previous priority foundation violation corrected

      On premises to reinspect for the extension that was granted by the c.d.p.h.for violation #10 rule 5-203.11 (pf) compliance date august 1 2019 at this time no exposed hand sink on premises at the serving line of the auditorium. Observed a portable hand sink with only cold water.please note no letter of approval from the department of building for a portable hand sink. Violation 7-42-090 no citation issue.

  11. FailMar 14, 2019Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      ) serves/distributes lunches in the auditorium (multi-purpose room) which is not connected or adjacent to kitchen.at this time, observed employee warming up individually boxed hamberger and maccaroni and cheese in kitchen food prep then transports them to the auditorium (multi-purpose room) and immediately placed into a hot holding unit for service.lunch in process,observed employee cutting/peeling american cheese in th auditorium.instructed to provide an accessible hand washing sink to serving line in the auditorium(multi-purpose room),with hot and cold running water under city pressure soap and paper towels. Priority foundation. 7-38-030(c). Instructed managemant that no food can be prepared in the auditorium

    2. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      Observed washbowls not working at 1st and second floor boys restroom (both restrooms have 3 sinks a piece) instructed management to fix washbowls. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c

    3. 48

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

      Observed no drainboard at three compartment sink.instructed management to install a drainboard above the three compartment sink.

    4. 51

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

      Obsereved no back flow devices at mopsinks at old side of school building.instructed management to install backflow devices at mopsinks. Core violation

  12. FailMar 6, 2019CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      5-203.11 (a) serves/distributes lunches in the auditorium (multi-purpose room) which is not connected or adjacent to kitchen.at this time, observed employee warming up individually boxed hamberger and maccaroni and cheese in kitchen food prep then transports them to the auditorium (multi-purpose room) and immediately placed into a hot holding unit for service.lunch in process,observed employee cutting/peeling american cheese in th auditorium.instructed to provide an accessible hand washing sink to serving line in the auditorium(multi-purpose room),with hot and cold running water under city pressure soap and paper towels. Priority foundation. 7-38-030(c).

    2. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      Observed hand dryer not working at 1st and second floor girls restroom. Instructed engineering to repair/replace hand dryers. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c) no citation issued

    3. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      Observed washbowls not working at 1st and second floor boys restroom (both restrooms have 3 sinks a piece) instructed management to fix washbowls. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c)

    4. 48

      Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

      Observed no drainboard at three compartment sink.instructed management to install a drainboard above the three compartment sink.

    5. 51

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

      Obsereved no back flow devices at mopsinks at old side of school building.instructed management to install backflow devices at mopsinks. Core violation

  13. ConditionalSep 10, 2018CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 3

      Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

      2-102.14(a) observed no employee health policy.instructed manager to provide employee health policy.priority foundation 7-38-012(a).

    2. 5

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

      2-501.11 observed no clean up policy for vomiting or diarrheal events.instructed manager to provide clean up policy.priority foundation 7-38-005.

    3. 10

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

      5-203.11 (a) serves/distributes lunches in the auditorium (multi-purpose room) which is not connected or adjacent to kitchen.at this time, observed employee warming up individually boxed pizzas in kitchen food prep then transports them to the auditorium (multi-purpose room) and immediately placed into a hot holding unit for service.lunch in process,observed employee handing-out open breads to students during this inspection.instructed to provide an accessible hand washing sink to serving line in the auditorium(multi-purpose room),with hot and cold running water under city pressure soap and paper towels. Priority foundation. 7-38-030(c).

    4. 47

      Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

      4-201.11 observed rusty blade at manual can opener.instructed to replace and maintain.

    5. 55

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

      6-101.11 (a) found floor dirty in the utility service sink room 1st floor hallway.instructed to clean floors in detail and maintain.

  14. FailApr 25, 2018Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 29

      Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

      Previous minor violation from inspection report#1981343 dated:01/12/2017 not corrected: facility serves/distributes lunches in the auditorium which is not connected or adjacent to kitchen. Facility stated on occasion they served hot dogs or hamburgers and place gloves on and place meat into the bun in the auditorium. Facility stated that most days, including during inspection, they serve prepackaged items that students open themselves. Instructed facility to install and maintain a handsink adjacent to service line in the auditorium with hot and cold running water under city pressure, soap, and paper towels. Instructed to cease serving and handling open foods in the auditorium until sink is installed. Serious violation 7-42-090.

    2. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Kitchen ovens must be under ventilation, when the equipment is more than 7.5 kilowatts and maintain.

  15. FailApr 17, 2018CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 27

      Toilet rooms enclosed clean, provided with hand cleanser, sanitary hand drying devices and proper waste receptacles

      Found students boys toilet rooms on the 1st and 2nd flr not maintained,no hot or tempered running water for handwashing and no working hand dryer or hand papertowels ,1st floor boys toilet room both toilets with sign on door that reads "out of order and both toilet with black taped all around,unable to use at this time.also,no working hand dryer in the 1st floor(122) girls toilet room.instructed to repair plumbing issues and provide working hand dryers or hand papertowels and maintain students toilet rooms at all times.instructed to utilize other boys students toilet rooms 1st flr. Serious violation 7-38-030.

    2. 29

      Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

      Previous minor violation from inspection report#1981343 dated:01/12/2017 not corrected: facility serves/distributes lunches in the auditorium which is not connected or adjacent to kitchen. Facility stated on occasion they served hot dogs or hamburgers and place gloves on and place meat into the bun in the auditorium. Facility stated that most days, including during inspection, they serve prepackaged items that students open themselves. Instructed facility to install and maintain a handsink adjacent to service line in the auditorium with hot and cold running water under city pressure, soap, and paper towels. Instructed to cease serving and handling open foods in the auditorium until sink is installed. Serious violation 7-42-090.

    3. 33

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Instructed to detail clean and sanitize water fountains located on 1st and 2nd floor hallways and maintain.

    4. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Instructed to remove dusts accumulations on kitchen exhaust wall vent and ceiling ventilation cover and replace water stained ceiling tile in 1st floor hallway.

    5. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Kitchen ovens must be under ventilation, when the equipment is more than 7.5 kilowatts and maintain.

  16. ConditionalJan 12, 2017CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 12

      Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area

      Observed no paper towels at the kitchen exposed handsink. Instructed facility that paper towels and soap must always be in immediate vicinity of all handwashing sinks. Facility corrected during inspection. Critical violation 7-38-030.

    2. 17

      Potentially hazardous food properly thawed

      Observed food being improperly thawed: found cut fruit in plastic cups sitting in water in the three compartment sink (food at proper temperature). Instructed facility that thawing of frozen food for further processing of use shall be accomplished by storage in a refrigerator at 40°f or less, or under potable running water at a temperature of 70°f or below, with sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose food particles into the overflow, or in a microwave oven only when the food will be immediately transferred to conventional cooking facilities as part of a continuous cooking process or when the entire, uninterrupted cooking process takes place in the microwave oven. Facility corrected during inspection. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).

    3. 36

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Observed no working light in the walk in freezer. Instructed facility to repair and maintain.

    4. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Facility serves/distributes lunches in the auditorium which is not connected or adjacent to kitchen. Facility stated on occasion they served hot dogs or hamburgers and place gloves on and place meat into the bun in the auditorium. Facility stated that most days, including during inspection, they serve prepackaged items that students open themselves. Instructed facility to install and maintain a handsink adjacent to service line in the auditorium with hot and cold running water under city pressure, soap, and paper towels. Instructed to cease serving and handling open foods in the auditorium until sink is installed.

  17. PassMar 11, 2016Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Instructed to repair timed (cold) faucet handle at hand sink inside second floor boys washroom (old building). The water does not stay on without holding the handle for 15 seconds.

  18. FailFeb 10, 2016Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 9

      Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure

      Still no hot running water available in the new building. Instructed to provide.

    2. 26

      Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed

      Upgraded to critical violation 7-38-030

    3. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Instructed to repair timed (cold) faucet at hand sink inside second floor boys washroom (old building). The water does not stay on without holding the handle for 15 seconds.

  19. FailJan 28, 2016Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 9

      Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure

      Hot running water is now provided in the old building. Still no hot running water in new building.

    2. 9

      Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure

      Found no hot running water throughout new building. Instructed to fix critical violation 7-38-030

    3. 26

      Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed

      Upgraded to critical violation.

    4. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Instructed to repair timed (cold) faucet at hand sink inside second floor boys washroom (old building). The water does not stay on without holding the handle for 15 seconds.

  20. FailJan 26, 2016Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 9

      Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure

      Found no hot running water throughout premises (old and new building). Instructed to fix. Issued 48 hour (16-004). Instructed not to prepare and serve food. Must provide alternative food from other source. (approved source). Critical violation 7-38-030

    2. 26

      Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed

      Upgraded to critical violation.

    3. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Instructed to repair timed (cold) faucet at hand sink inside second floor boys washroom (old building). The water does not stay on without holding the handle for 15 seconds.

  21. FailJan 15, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 26

      Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed

      Found no hot or tempered running water at hand sink inside first floor boys and girls washroom (new building). Instructed to repair. Serious violation 7-38-030

    2. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Instructed to repair timed (cold) faucet at hand sink inside second floor boys washroom (old building). The water does not stay on without holding the handle for 15 seconds.

  22. PassMay 12, 2015Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
    1. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Wall inside classroom 102 has chipped plaster and paint. Instructed to repair walls and reseal.

    2. 41

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Unnecessary articles in basement boiler room. Instructed to remove all unnecessary articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.

  23. FailApr 29, 2015CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 24

      Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated

      Dish washing facilities not maintained or operated. While running and draining in middle of three compartment sink, water with food debris is coming up left and right sides. Instructed to detail clean drainline and grease trap to prevent inadequate disposal of drain water. Serious no citation issued.

    2. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Ceiling not maintained in boy's toilet room first floor. Instructed to remove waste paper stuck to ceiling. Light covers in kitchen not clean. Instructed to detail clean. Wall inside classroom 102 has chipped plaster and paint. Instructed to repair walls and reseal.

    3. 41

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Unnecessary articles in basement boiler room. Instructed to remove all unnecessary articles and elevate supplies 6 inches or higher and away from wall.

  24. PassMay 22, 2014CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 32

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Must repair one of two hand dryers in the boys restroom on the first floor new building. Must repair hand dryer on the left side. The hand dryer on the right side is working and operating at this time.

    2. 34

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Must replace missing floor tiles in front of door 5 so as to be smooth and easily cleanable.

    3. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Found peeling paint on the ceiling above the stairway on the 2nd floor leading to the first floor across the boys washroom(old building). Also noted peeling paint in the girls washroom 2nd floor ceiling (old building). Must remove/repaint).

    4. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Must adjust temperature valve at the boys restroom hand sink on the first floor in the new building (elongated sink).

  25. PassMay 2, 2013CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 33

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior surfaces of (2) microwave ovens with heavy dried food debris accumulation at second floor teacher's lounge to prevent pest harborage.

    2. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Noted ceiling in poor repair with peeling paint heavy water damaged inside boys washroom (1st floor-old building). Instructed to repair.

    3. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Instructed to provide back flow preventer device at (3) mop sink faucet (old building).

    4. 41

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Instructed to remove unnecessary articles (pile of wood, broken microwave etc.)in rear outside garbage dumpster area).

  26. PassMay 9, 2012CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 41

      Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

      Elevate needed items at outside garbage area, boxes of tiles, wood,pallets etc.

  27. PassMay 16, 2011CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 33

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving, reach in cooler shelving not clean need cleaning.

    2. 34

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Damaged/broken floor tiles in kitchen prep area shall be replaced, floors in staircase, hallways, classrooms need detailed cleaning.

    3. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Peeling paint in classrooms, bathrooms, hallways, staircase in main building(1st fl,2nd fl)shall be repair sealed.peeling paint/plaster in kitchen by 3 compartment sink shall be repair/sealed. And floor ceiling outside science classroom had leakaged, peeling paint, shall be repair.damaged, stained ceiling tiles in classrooms in main building, and annex shall be replaced.

    4. 36

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Light shields in prep areas, classrooms, hallways, bathrooms in main building, and annex building need cleaning(detailed).

    5. 38

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Exhaust vents(ventilation)in cooler, classrooms not clean need detailed cleaning.

  28. PassApr 28, 2010CanvassRisk 1 (High)
    1. 32

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. Exit door strip at the basement and annex classrooms must be readjusted to properly seal doors

    2. 35

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Cracked walls and peeling paint near the windows of boy's washroom 2nd floor, must be fixed and repainted with non toxic

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

  1. 3811×

    Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

  2. 108×

    Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

  3. 357×

    Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

  4. 334×

    Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

  5. 554×

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  6. 94×

    Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure

  7. 264×

    Adequate number, convenient, accessible, properly designed and installed

  8. 414×

    Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 23301 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.