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A CUP OF JOE INC.

6806 W ARCHER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

A CUP OF JOE INC. has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 7, 2020. The most recent inspection, on September 21, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

3 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Protecting food from contamination.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 31, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 May 31, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on December 15, 2020. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 21, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 23, 2023. For example: UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN ALL ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION SYSTEM ON PREMISES INADEQUATE. OBSERVED SMOKY ATMOSPHERE AND COOKING EQUIPMENT (SMALL FLAT-TOP GRILL) NOT CONTAINED UNDER VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT MUST BE LOCATED UNDER VENTILATION HOOD FOR PROPER REMOVAL OF SMOKE/FUMES.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED VERTICAL DOORFRAME NEXT TO THE BACK DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED GAP IN BETWEEN PIPE AND WALL IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL AS A MEANS TO PREVENT ENTRY OF PESTS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING HOTWATER KNOB ON 3-COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VERIFIABLE SANITATION MANAGER TRAINING.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VALID ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION, AS WELL AS CERTIFIED MANAGER, MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS (EGGS)ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2577755 NOT CORRECTED: #47-OBSERVED DOOR HANDLE IN POOR REPAIR ON REFRIGERATOR AND DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS ON CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. #53-OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR. #55-OBSERVED DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR ALONG WALLS BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED MULTI-USE CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SNGLE USE CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE USE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DOOR HANDLE IN POOR REPAIR ON REFRIGERATOR AND DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS ON CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF-CLOSING IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS BEHIND CHEST FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • REAR EXIT DOOR NOT PROTECTED, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM. INSTD TO RODENT PROOF/PROTECT SAME AND HAVE TIGHT FITTING
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • ICE SCOOP HANDLE IN ICE. INSTD STORE PROPERLY (HANDLE NOT TOUCHING ICE)
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER AND INTERIOR OF SMALL UPRIGHT COOLER/FREEZER COMBO WITH EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ICE AND MAINTAIN
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING (LOCATED IN PREP AREA). INSTD TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME
  7. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. License

    5 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MISSING PROPER BARRIER INBETWEEN CUSTOMER AREA AND THE FOLLOWING: FOOD PREP AREA, CUSTOMER TOILET ROOM, EXPOSED EQUIPMENT, AND REAR DOOR LEADING TO CUSTOMER OUTSIDE SEATING AND PARKING. INSTD TO PROVIDE PERMANENT PROPER BARRIER (IE WALL AND DOOR) TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • LARGE MULTI USE EQUIPMENT ON SITE UNABLE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE LARGER SINK FOR EQUIPMENT TO FULLY SUBMERGE IN BASINS OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • MISSING CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER QUARTERNARY AMMONIUM. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NO UTILITY SINK ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • NO GREASE TRAP AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  9. License

    0 infractions

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