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BRU COFFEEWORKS

3005 W LAWRENCE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BRU COFFEEWORKS has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 3, 2016. The most recent inspection, on November 18, 2025, recorded 5 infractions.

2 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Protecting food from contamination 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 June 21, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 November 18, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 November 18, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on May 31, 2017. For example: DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

  • 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 once on May 31, 2017. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

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

    5 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST NOT STORE CLEAN EQUIPMENT ON THE FAUCET OF THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • BASEMENT REFRIGERATION NOTED DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN SEVERAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. MUST REPLACE.----DAMAGED WALL IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AND WASHROOM NEAR THE REAR EXIT WITH DIRT, DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ORGANIZED AND ELEVATED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN FIXTURES IN BOTH WASHROOMS
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN BOTH UNISEX BATHROOMS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER THROUGH OUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, PROPERLY ELEVATE STOCK 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS FOR BETTER CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DUST AND DEBRIS FROM FLOORS IN FOOD PREP AREA, BOTH RESTROOM STAIRS LEADING TO BASEMENT AND WHOLE BASEMENTS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THAT WALLS AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND MOP SINK ARE SEVERALLY DAMAGED AND NOT SMOOTH EASY CLEANABLE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE THE TCS FOODS (MILK) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MUST WORE PROPER HAIR PROTECTION WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MISSING DRAIN BOARD AT THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS NOT CLEANED ABOVE THE COFFEE ROASTER UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 22. DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK
      • NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND SANITIZING BUCKETS AS REQUIRED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MISSING DRAIN BOARD AT THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS NOT CLEANED ABOVE THE COFFEE ROASTER UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE THE MILK REFRIGERATOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
  7. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Observed the stairs leading to the basement to be unfinished and rough. Instructed facility to seal and maintain.
  8. License

    2 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • No pest control log book on site. Instructed facility to obtain and maintain pest control service from a licensed pest control provider that provides a complete log book with service records, IDPH license, and bait station map/list. Serious violation 7-38-020.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Observed the stairs leading to the basement to be unfinished and rough. Instructed facility to seal and maintain.
  9. License

    0 infractions

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