Andies Open After Being Shut by Customer Calling in Sick to 311

North Side Restaurant Re-Opened by City Health Department
Andies Open After Thursday Shutdown

A restaurant in the Andersonville neighborhood on the North Side is back up and running after being shut down Thursday by inspectors from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Andies, 5253 N. Clark, passed re-inspection on Friday and was given its business license back.

CDPH inspectors visited Andies on Thursday in response to a report that a customer had become ill after eating a meal that included chicken breast with portabella, spinach, tomatoes and couscous.

Inspectors discovered a faulty walk-in cooler that was no colder than 44.9 degrees Fahrenheit, warmer than the 40 degrees or colder required by law.

Inside the cooler was about $3,000 worth (retail) of raw and cooked chicken, raw beef, hummus and chickpeas—all at temperatures ranging from 44-47 degrees, and all of which was ordered discarded.

“When it comes to raw and cooked meat and poultry, even a violation of five or ten degrees can mean the difference between safe food and food that can make people sick,” stated CDPH Commissioner Terry Mason, M.D. “The person who called 311 to let us know did the right thing and may have helped us prevent illness in others.”

Representatives from Andies will have to explain themselves at a hearing next month and pay fines expected to total $1,000.

Chicagoans who believe that a restaurant or any other licensed food establishment is operating in an unsafe manner are encouraged to report it by calling 311 or visiting www.cityofchicago.org.