Penny's Noodle Shop Fails Health Re-Inspection, Rat Droppings Still Found in Ventilation

The long-running Lakeview restaurant faces ongoing compliance issues with the Chicago health department.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal structure of a ventilation duct filled with the glowing, ghostly outlines of rat droppings, conceptually illustrating the hidden sanitation issues at the restaurant.An X-ray view exposes the unseen health hazards lurking within Penny's Noodle Shop's ventilation system.Chicago Today

Penny's Noodle Shop, a beloved Thai noodle restaurant in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood that has been open since 1989, failed a recent health department re-inspection after a prior license suspension for a rat infestation. Inspectors found continued issues with rodent droppings, including in the ventilation ducts, as well as other sanitation violations like improperly stored food and excessive grease buildup.

Why it matters

Penny's Noodle Shop is a longstanding community institution, but the restaurant's ongoing health code violations and pest control issues raise concerns about food safety and public health in the neighborhood. The presence of rodent droppings in the ventilation system indicates a more serious structural problem that requires extensive remediation.

The details

During the April 2, 2026 re-inspection, Chicago health inspectors documented 18 rodent droppings across the first floor prep area, dining room, basement storage, and ventilation ducts. This came after the city had previously suspended Penny's food license in late March 2026 due to a rat infestation, black mold, and improperly stored food. The restaurant had claimed it was closed to address these issues, but the re-inspection suggests the pest control and cleaning efforts were not fully effective. Inspectors also cited the restaurant for other ongoing violations like unlabeled food containers, improper food storage, and excessive grease buildup.

  • Penny's Noodle Shop has been a Lakeview institution since 1989.
  • The restaurant's food license was suspended in late March 2026 due to health code violations.
  • The failed re-inspection occurred on April 2, 2026, a year after the restaurant was first cited for rodent issues.

The players

Penny's Noodle Shop

A Thai noodle restaurant that has been a fixture in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood since 1989.

Chicago Department of Public Health

The government agency responsible for inspecting and regulating food service establishments in the city of Chicago.

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What’s next

Penny's Noodle Shop will need to work closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health to address the ongoing pest control and sanitation issues in order to regain its food service license and reopen. This will likely require extensive facility repairs, deep cleaning, and continued professional pest control efforts.

The takeaway

The persistent health code violations at Penny's Noodle Shop highlight the challenges that long-standing local restaurants can face in maintaining food safety standards, especially when dealing with structural issues like pest infestations. This case underscores the importance of proactive and thorough remediation efforts to protect public health in the community.