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BOX LUNCH CAFE

906 S HOMAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60624 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BOX LUNCH CAFE has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 24, 2019. The most recent inspection, on January 10, 2025, found no infractions.

3 of 9 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: Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 22, 2024. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 April 2, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 13 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on April 2, 2024. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 22, 2024. For example: SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 2, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO POSTED VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ORIGINAL VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED IN ADDITION TO PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF CERTIFIED MANAGER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED MISSING THEMOMETERS INSIDE COOLING UNITS ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISE UNDER ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND TRASH. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFCATE HOLDER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • OBSERVED COMPLIANCE SUMMARY REPORT NOT POSTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2591526 ON MARCH 22, 2024. INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED OF LICENSE HOLDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-42-010 (B). CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO POSTED VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ORIGINAL VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED IN ADDITION TO PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF CERTIFIED MANAGER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED MISSING THEMOMETERS INSIDE COOLING UNITS ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED STYROFOAM/PLASTIC CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY ON PREP TABLE SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT IN ORDER TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR TESTING SANITIZER STRENGTH AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISE UNDER ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND TRASH. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN ORDER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFCATE HOLDER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VERIFIABLE FOOD SERVICE MANAGER TRAINING.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO POSTED VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATION ON SITE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ORIGINAL VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED IN ADDITION TO PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF CERTIFIED MANAGER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BOXES OF SODA, GALLONS OF SNOW CONE SYRUP, AND CLEANING SUPPLIES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE 6 INCHES OR MORE OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS ON SITE FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
  8. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER SHALL BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED NO WIPING CLOTHS STORED IN SANITIZING SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED BOXES OF SODA, GALLONS OF SNOW CONE SYRUP, AND CLEANING SUPPLIES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE 6 INCHES OR MORE OFF THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO SANITIZING SOLUTION TESTING DEVICES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS ON SITE FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION ON SITE FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER. ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS SHALL HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
  9. License

    1 infraction

    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED CERTIFIED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HER ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED.

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