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A CUP OF JOE INC.

1309 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

A CUP OF JOE INC. has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 21, 2023. The most recent inspection, on June 26, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 21, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on May 24, 2024. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on August 28, 2023. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 26, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • LEAK AT FAUCET AT 3 COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ANY FOOD SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE PREP AREAS WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE REFRIGERATOR (CLOSEST TO THE STAIRS) IN THE BASEMENT IS CRACKED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO FIX OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • SPRAYER ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK DRIPS PROFUSELY. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MOP NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A SLIGHT PINKISH SUBSTANCE INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED PREPACKAGED GRAB-AND-GO PASTA SALAD AND DESSERTS FOR SALE AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER COUNTER WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS, AND INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
  4. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (MILK, SAUSAGE, EGGS) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER ARRIVES AT 11:20 AM, ONCE INSPECTION IS COMPLETE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED LIVE DOG IN THE DINING AREA OF THE RESTAURANT. ALSO NOTED WAS A DOG SITTING IN A DINING CHAIR WITH ITS OWNER INSIDE THE RESTAURANT. NOTED TWO DOGS SITTING IN DINING CHAIRS WITH OWNERS ON OUTDOOR PATIO AREA. LIVE ANIMALS MAY NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES OF A RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-40-060. CITATION ISSUED. THE DOGS WERE REMOVED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOUND ALL COOKS WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES.
  5. License

    0 infractions

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