Penny’s Noodle Shop in Lakeview, which returned to the neighborhood in 2019, was ordered shut by city health inspectors on Friday after officials say they found an active rodent infestation along with a stack of food safety violations. Inspectors reported problems serious enough to pull the plug on the spot’s food license, and the restaurant has been diverting online orders to its Oak Park location while it works on fixes.
Inspections Turned Up Rats, Mold, and Unlabeled Meat
According to Block Club Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health suspended Penny’s food license after inspectors said they found rodent droppings all over the business, including the dining room, first-floor and basement prep kitchens, storage areas, customer bathrooms, and even inside ventilation ducts. The inspection report also flagged black mold on an ice machine and about 25 pounds of perishable food with no expiration labels, including roughly $450 worth of already cooked beef, pork and chicken stored in a walk-in cooler. Inspectors also noted open rodent bait near food-storage areas and other signs of an active infestation, which triggered the on-the-spot closure.
A Familiar Name In Lakeview
Penny’s first opened in 1991 and grew into a neighborhood standby before the original Wrigleyville location shut down after more than two decades in business. DNAinfo documented the 2013 closure, and Eater Chicago covered the brand’s 2019 return to Lakeview. City inspection records show the Lakeview spot has stumbled before, including a failed March 2020 inspection tied to labeling issues and an April 2025 visit that cited rat droppings and improper storage, according to public records.
Restaurant Says It Will Deep-Clean, Hire Pest Control
On its Penny’s online ordering portal, the restaurant told customers the storefront was closed "to address health inspection issues" and outlined plans for deep cleaning, facility repairs, and professional pest control. The page also redirects customers to the chain’s Oak Park outpost while contractors handle remediation work. The message does not give any estimate for when the Lakeview shop might reopen.
What The Suspension Means
The Chicago Department of Public Health suspension blocks the restaurant from serving food until all violations are corrected and the business passes a reinspection under city rules. If problems are not fixed, the owner can face fines or additional enforcement actions under the municipal code. Customers who are worried about possible health issues tied to recent visits can contact the department for guidance.
Neighborhood Context
Neighbors said they noticed the papered-up storefront on Friday and pointed out that the block has seen a run of restaurant turnover in recent years. Public health officials note that infestations typically point to structural or storage problems, and that consistent pest control and proper labeling are crucial to keeping dining rooms open. For now, the Sheffield storefront remains dark while the owner finishes repairs and waits for the city to sign off on a clean bill of health.
