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BELIEVE CAFE

3901 W BELMONT AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BELIEVE CAFE has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 5, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 17, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 6 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control 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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 10, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 27, 2025. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • 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 27, 2025. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 12 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 27, 2025. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 10, 2026. For example: ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

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. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN OR POSTER NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENY CONTAMINATION.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT HOLD A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENES TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFCATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2618082 ON 05/27/2025. #37. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (RICE, FLOUR ETC). #53. TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE. #55. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL FLOOR BASEBOARD AROUND THE FRONT DINING/SERVICE AREA. #55. NSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLE ON WALL AROUND MOPSINK FAUCET HOT AND COLD WATER HANDLE. AND HOLE ON WALL AROUND PIPE INSIDE THE WASHROOM. #55.: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. #55. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REORGANIZE AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. #55. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOOSE CEILING TILES ABOVE THE COOKING AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING PROCEDURE ON FROZEN PORK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, THAWING MUST OCCUR UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR LESS OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER OR THAWED IN A MICROWAVE OVEN AND IMMEDIATELY TRANSFERRED TO CONVENTIONAL COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH NO INTERRUPTION IN THE PROCESS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CORRECT THAWING PROCEDURES.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (RICE, FLOUR ETC)
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD LINER UNDERNEATH THE CONVEYOR OVEN IN THE KITCHEN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLE ON WALL AROUND MOPSINK FAUCET HOT AND COLD WATER HANDLE. AND HOLE ON WALL AROUND PIPE INSIDE THE WASHROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL FLOOR BASEBOARD AROUND THE FRONT DINING/SERVICE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REORGANIZE AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOOSE CEILING TILES ABOVE THE COOKING AREA.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • FOUND NO INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT POSTED (03-18-2025) ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, A SUMMARY REPORT MUST BE DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010 (B) CITATION ISSUED
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11 OBSERVED HOLE WALL NEAR HANDWASHING SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED TOILET SEAT COVER IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRCUTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR TOILET SEAT COVER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT HOLD A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENES TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFCATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING HOT AND COLD FOODS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HOLE WALL NEAR HANDWASHING SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED ONE CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN AWARENESS AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT HOLD A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENES TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFCATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  6. License

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED UNFINISHED WOOD USED FOR SHELVING AT THE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SHELVES WITH NON POROUS WOOD THAT ARE EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAINED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED WASH ROOM ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLE AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOM
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NOTED THE BATHROOM DOOR AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT THE DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED NO WORKING VENTILATION INSIDE TOILET ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND HAVE A WORKING VENTILATION INSIDE ALL TOILETS.
  7. License

    0 infractions

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