The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts food inspections for a wide range of establishments in the area. Inspections look for issues that could contribute to the spread of foodborne illness, as well as general cleanliness and maintenance of the establishment.
The Journal Star examined routine inspections for restaurants, mobile establishments and bars in Peoria County. In March, there were 186 inspections completed for these categories.
The establishments listed below received either no violations or enough violations to warrant a warning from the health department. According to the Peoria City/County Health Department, “inspections only provide a snapshot of a food establishment’s practices, as they are based on what is seen at the time of the inspection.”
Terminology used by the health department
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Core violation: These violations relate to “general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance,” according to the health department.
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Priority foundation violation: These violations could lead to priority violations if they are not corrected.
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Priority violation: These violations are considered the most high-risk by the health department, as they have the potential to directly contribute to foodborne illness.
More: Repeat violations and a compliance conference: Tazewell County food inspections for March
Establishments with no violations during routine March inspections
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Ardor Breads and Provisions, 301 SW Water St., Peoria
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Central Illinois Catering, 711 W. McBean St., Suite B, Peoria
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German American Central Society/Lindenhof, 7601 N. Harker Drive, Peoria
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Goldies Lounge and Slots, 4722 W. Farmington Road, Peoria
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Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging Senior Meals, 3625 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria
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Haddad’s Restaurant and Catering, 1010 W. Main St., Peoria
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Haven on the Farm, 6221 W. Route 150, Edwards
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Las Delicias, 837 W. Main St., Peoria
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Matilda’s, 100 State St., Suite 1a, Peoria
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Papa Murphy’s, 3125 N. University St., Peoria
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Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center, 223 N. Maxwell Road, Peoria
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Peoria Nutrition Spot, 7318 N. University St., Peoria
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Rhythm Kitchen, 305 SW Water St., Peoria
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Simply Fit4U, 841 W. Main St., Peoria
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The Braker’s Dozen, 4500 W. County Line Road, Speer
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Theo’s Ice Cream, 3633 N. Gale Ave., Peoria
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Tin Roof Smokehouse, Mobile
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Warning comments during routine March inspections
City Market at 610 S. Western Ave., Peoria, received four priority, five priority foundation and four core violations.
During the routine inspection, the establishment’s license was suspended temporarily after an “Employee stated that they had no soap” for handwashing. The license was reinstated after soap was provided.
Other violations included:
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Boxes of raw chicken were found on the floor under the 3 compartment sink and not held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. An employee left the boxes there “before going on a break.” The health department noted that Time/temperature control for safety foods “need to be checked for proper receiving temperatures then put directly into cold holding. Leaving these foods out is not acceptable.” The violation was corrected on site.
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The health department observed multiple handwashing violations. These included an employee not washing hands when needed, an employee “splashing hands with water for less than 10 seconds” and an employee washing hands in a sink not meant for handwashing. All three violations were corrected on site.
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The kitchen handwashing sink was blocked by the establishment’s breading station. The person in charge moved the breading station out of the way, but shortly after, the health department said the “breading station was blocking hand sink and needed to be moved again. Establishment needs a better location for this station where it is not blocking the hand sink.” The violation was corrected on site.
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According to the health department, “Shawarma that was placed on broiler at 10am was observed held past 2pm and had not been cooked and hot held. The 4-hour time limit has been exceeded. Food was discarded.” The violation was corrected on site.
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The health department observed raw chicken being improperly thawed. The violation was corrected on site.
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Warning comment follow up inspections
City Market at 610 S. Western Ave., Peoria, received four priority, five priority foundation and four core violations during a routine inspection on March 19.
A follow-up inspection on March 31 found one priority, three priority foundation and eight core violations. These included:
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One employee did not wash hands when needed. The violation was corrected on site.
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While the health department found frozen fish thawing properly, they found raw beef being improperly thawed. The violation was corrected on site.
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The health department noted that the “Hot oil storage container is leaking, establishment is using a metal pan to catch oil.”
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The health department found a buildup of grease and soil behind and under all equipment.
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An “excessive grease and soil accumulation” was observed on the hood, cooler sides and other non-food contact surfaces.
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According to the health department, a “Container of poisonous or toxic material, no longer stored in original packaging, is not labeled with the common name of the material or contents.” The violation was corrected on site.
Comments on the inspection noted: “Establishment has shown enough improvement to be back to a routine (inspection) schedule.”
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for March 2025