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AJE CAFE

2942 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60657 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

AJE CAFE has been inspected 15 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 8, 2011. The most recent inspection, on July 28, 2022, found no infractions.

3 of 15 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 16, 2019. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 July 5, 2016. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 once on January 5, 2021. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 July 16, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 11 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on January 5, 2021. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

15 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED UNSECURED TILES WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DEBRIS BEING USED AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION UNDER THE KITCHEN PREP TABLE. MUST USE MATERIAL FOR REPAIR THAT IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING AT THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING. SHELVING LINERS MUST BE A CLEANABLE/WASHABLE MATERIAL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXPOSED BRICK WALLS IN VARIOUS FOOD PREP AREAS AND WHERE FOOD CONTACT ITEMS ARE USED SUCH AS PLASTIC WRAP, TOGO CONTAINERS AND UTENSILS. BRICK WALLS MUST BE COVERED/SEALED TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. NO OPEN CRACKS CREVICES OR HOLES.
  3. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114-OBSERVED FOOD (SODA) INSIDE CARDBOARD BOXES ON FLOOR IN FRONT OF COUNTER. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD (SODA) INSIDE CARDBOARD BOXES ON FLOOR IN FRONT OF COUNTER. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
  5. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-TURKEY 48.2F, HAM 47.7F, CHICKEN 47.1F, TOMATOES 45.5F, CHEESE 49.7F, EGGS 44.6F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 2 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $15.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • NOTED TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME AND USED BY DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005(A). NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH NO GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL AND UNDERNEATH SHELVES AT THE EXTERIOR STORAGE WITH THE CHEST FREEZER
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED ROUGH AND UNFINISHED BRICK WALLS BEHIND THE PREP TABLE, OVEN, DRY STORAGE SHELF AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH WALLS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 5-19-17 INSPECTION # 2050693. VIOLATION 35 MUST REFINISH FLAKING PAINT IN REAR STORAGE ROOM ON WALLS AND CEILING. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-42-090. MUST REPAIR/PAINT CEILING/WALLS AT REAR STORAGE AREAS.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST INSTALL COVING (AT LEAST 4 INCHES TALL) ALONG WALL UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UP TO THE MOP SINK. MUST ELEVATE ALL FOOD PRODUCT (SODA, SYRUPS, ETC) AND PACKAGING AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR UNDER FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND BEHIND THE SELF SERVICE WATER COUNTER. MUST CLEAN PARTICULATE MATTER AND DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REFINISH FLAKING PAINT IN REAR STORAGE ROOM ON WALLS AND CEILING.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO MINIMIZE MICROBIAL GROWTH.
  9. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION #38 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1938033 DATED 7/5/16: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND REGULAR COFFEE MACHINE WATERLINE. MUST PROVIDE. MUST CORRECT THIS VIOLATION. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-42-090
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST INSTALL COVING (AT LEAST 4 INCHES TALL) ALONG WALL UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UP TO THE MOP SINK. MUST ELEVATE ALL FOOD PRODUCT (SODA, SYRUPS, ETC) AND PACKAGING AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR UNDER FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND BEHIND THE SELF SERVICE WATER COUNTER. MUST CLEAN PARTICULATE MATTER AND DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REFINISH FLAKING PAINT IN REAR STORAGE ROOM ON WALLS AND CEILING.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO MINIMIZE MICROBIAL GROWTH.
  10. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND REGULAR COFFEE MACHINE WATERLINE. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • FOUND NO THERMOMETER INSIDE OF DELI PREPARATION MEAT REACH IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOUND SERVER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
  11. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED A TORN GASKET ON THE 1 DOOR DAIRY REFRIGERATOR UNDER THE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  12. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INSTRUCTED TO STORE SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS FACING ONE DIRECTION TO AVOID BARE HAND CONTACT WITH THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF UTENSILS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPLACE STAINED, DEEP GROOVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP TO PROVIDE CUTTING BOARDS WITH A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • PROVIDE A VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR COFFEE STATION AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HAIR RESTRAINT WHEN WORKING AROUND OPEN FOODS.
  14. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DEFROST ICE BOX FREEZER AT PREP AREA.
  15. License

    0 infractions

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