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BYTE CAFE

600 W CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BYTE CAFE has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 21, 2019. The most recent inspection, on July 1, 2025, found no infractions.

3 of 7 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, Food temperature control and Pests.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 19, 2023. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on December 19, 2023. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 23, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • 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 once on September 23, 2024. 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR DRAIN BY THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR BASE OF THE TWO DOOR REACH IN FREEZER WITH A BUILD UP OF SMALL FOOD DEBRIS ON THE BOTTOM AND OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE DOOR OPENING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA BY THE FREEZER AND SHELVING SPIILAGE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR ALONG THE REAR WALL AND A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND SMALL FOOD DEBRIS IN UNDER THE SHELVING AS WELL AS THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING AND HARBORING.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY CERTIFICATION OR DOCUMENTATION OF PENDING CITY CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH SOUP AND BEEF BEING COOLED DOWN. NO OTHER ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON-SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY. NO VALID DOCCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TCS FOOD IS COOKED OR COOLED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE DRIP PLATE IS SLIGHTLY SOILED. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED THE METHOD OF COOLING HOT SOUP IN LARGE 5 GALLON CONTAINER IS INADEQUATE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. USE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS BASED ON TYPE OF FOOD BEING COOLED: FACILITY MUST SEPARATE FOODS INTO SMALLER OR THINNER PORTIONS, PLACING FOOD IN SHALLOW PANS, STIRRING THE FOOD IN A CONTAINER PLACED IN AN ICE WATER BATH, USING CONTAINERS THAT FACILITATE HEAT TRANSFER, ADDING ICE AS AN INGREDIENT, OR OTHER EFFECTIVE METHODS. PIC PLACED SOUPS INTO SMALLER PORTION SIZE CONTAINERS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLAITON 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • THE METHOD OF COOLING SOUP AND BEEF PATTIES IS INADEQUATE. FOOD MUST BE UNCOVERED DURING COOLING, IF PROTRECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. FACIITY MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLAITON 7-38-020 (C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • EQUIPMENT USED IN THE FACILITY IS TOO LARGE TO FIT AND FULLY IMMERSE WITHIN THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST INSTALL A LARGER 3COMPARTMENT SINKTHAT WILL ALLOW ALL EQUIPMENT TO BE IMMERSED, USE SMALLER EQUIPMENT THAT CAN FIT IN THE EXISTING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR USE AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF MANUAL WAREWASHING APPROVED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • AN IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR/TEST STRIPS IS NOT PROVIDED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MEASURING THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE FOR THE HOT TEMPERATURE DISHWASHER. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE-SENSATIVE THERMOMETER/TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CEILING VENT ABOVE THE 3COMPARTMENT SINK IS SOILED. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED AUTOMATIC SENSOR ON HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO UNUSED HIUGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS HELD AT THE STATED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN PREP COOLER UNDERNEATH GRILL: STEAK AT 54.1F, TURKEY BURGERS AT 56.0F, AND CHICKEN TENDERS AT 50.1F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED APPROXIMATELY 6LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $25. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED PREP COOLER UNDERNEATH GRILL CONTAINING TCS ITEMS SUCH AS STEAK, TURKEY BURGERS, AND CHICKEN TENDERS MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 48.5F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR COOLER SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED AUTOMATIC SENSOR ON HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO UNUSED HIUGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED ONE BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB UNDERNEATH HOOD IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
  7. License

    0 infractions

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