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ALMENDRO CAFE

5020 S CORNELL, CHICAGO, IL 60615 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ALMENDRO CAFE has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 22, 2022. The most recent inspection, on August 5, 2026, recorded 7 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 7 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 on August 5, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 August 5, 2026. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 December 3, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 6 separate inspections, most recently on August 5, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 5, 2026. For example: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

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.

7 inspections

  1. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING, PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (SANDWICHES, SALADS, AND TACOS) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE IN REAR PREP AREA HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER STORED IN MOPSINK CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE FRONT HAND SINK WITH LOW PRESSURE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION STILL NOT CORRECTED (#58 ALLERGEN TRAINING) FROM REPORT #2608300, DATE 12/3/24. Violation Codes: 8-404.13(B:4) Inspector Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #60 (#58 ALLERGEN TRAINING) STILL NOT CORRECTED FROM 3/15/24 / REPORT #2591092. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECTED OR MORE CIATIONS WILL FOLLOW. Violation Codes: 8-404.13(B:4) Inspector Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58: ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM REPORT #2584010, DATE 10/25/23 STILL NOT CORRECTED. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR PREP COOLER TO REMOVE SPILLS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE AIR VENT COVER AND CEILING TILE IN THE REAR PREP AREA AND WASHROOM DUSTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #60 (#58 ALLERGEN TRAINING) STILL NOT CORRECTED FROM 3/15/24 / REPORT #2591092. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECTED OR MORE CIATIONS WILL FOLLOW. Violation Codes: 8-404.13(B:4) Inspector Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58: ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM REPORT #2584010, DATE 10/25/23 STILL NOT CORRECTED. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH A SLOW DRAIN. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOORS UNDER THE 3 COMP SINK NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58: ALLERGEN TRAINING FROM REPORT #2584010, DATE 10/25/23 STILL NOT CORRECTED. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090.
  5. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVER FOUND ON THE GARBAGE CONTAINER IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM; MUST PROVIDE A COVER FOR CONTAINER FOR FEMININE PRODUCT DISPOSAL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CEILING VENTS WHERE NEEDED TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND SOME ITEMS STORED INSIDE OF UTILITY SINK IN UTILITY CLOSET; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM SINK.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  6. License

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKS AT THE BASE OF THE FIXTURES AT THE FRONT HAND SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  7. License

    0 infractions

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