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CAFE CREME

1721 N DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE CREME has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 10, 2012. The most recent inspection, on July 31, 2015, found no infractions.

2 of 6 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: Food source, labelling and allergens, Protecting food from contamination and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 4, 2013. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 September 23, 2013. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • 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 September 23, 2013. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 12 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 17, 2014. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 17, 2014. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD ON THE EXPOSED HAND AT THE MIDDLE PREP STATION. ALSO NOTED SAME SINK IN POOR REPAIR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER AND UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING MACHINE & 3 COMP SINK. ALSO CLEAN FLOOR ON THE 2ND FLOOR UNDER STORAGE SHELVING TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALLS NEED CLEANING BEHIND THE DISH WASHING AREA TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM WALLS.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • NO LABELS ON PREPARED FOODS STORED INSIDE COOLER
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST RESEAL RUSTY WIRE SHELVES INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER AND REPLACE STAINED CUTTING BOARDS,
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD-UP, AND CLEAN INTERIOR CABINETS FRONT PREP AREA,
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREMISES, ALSO IN CORNERS FIRST FLOOR AND 2ND FLOOR AREAS,
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN/REPAIR WALL AND BASE BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE,
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A FAUCET TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK REAR KITCHEN AREA, A HOOK FOR SPRAY DEVICE, AND THREE SINK STOPPERS FOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,
  5. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 1. SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE
      • OBSERVED SHELL FISH (86 MUSSELS) WITHOUT TAGS ATTACHED BEING STORED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER, PRODUCT DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF ABOUT $100.00 AND 4 POUNDS, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005 (B)
    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE, TOP AREA OF MACHINE AND INTERIOR PANELS, APPEARS TO HAVE BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE BUILD-UP, ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USE, AND USE PRE PACKAGE ICE, UNTIL MACHINE IS CLEAN, MACHINE TAGGED, INSTRUCTED TO FAX A LETTER TO CDPH ONCE MACHINE IS PROPERLY CLEAN AND SANITIZE, ALONG RECEIPTS FROM COMPANY WHO CLEANED MACHINE, FAX #312746-4240, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005 (A) UN APPROVE EQUIPMENT ON SITE (VACUUM PACKING MACHINE) NOT IN USE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MACHINE TAGGED, IF PLAN TO USE MUST CONTACT THE CDPH, FOR INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT BEFORE USE,
    • 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 WITH UP TO DATE PEST CONTROL REPORTS, AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THATS NEEDED INSIDE LOG BOOK, BUSINESS LICENSE, CHEMICALS USED, MAP, ETC., OBSERVED APPROX., 25 PLUS SMALL FLIES IN REAR KITCHEN AND DINING AREAS, AND FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, APPROX. 1/4 GAP OPENING AT BOTTOM OF DOOR, MUST REPAIR, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-020
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE, POSTED OR AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE COOKED AND SERVED, AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL IN A CLASS AND A CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE COOKED AND PREPARED, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-012
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • NO LABELS ON PREPARED FOODS STORED INSIDE COOLER,
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST RESEAL RUSTY WIRE SHELVES INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER AND REPLACE STAINED CUTTING BOARDS,
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD-UP, AND CLEAN INTERIOR CABINETS FRONT PREP AREA,
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREMISES, ALSO IN CORNERS FIRST FLOOR AND 2ND FLOOR AREAS,
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN/REPAIR WALL AND BASE BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE,
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A FAUCET TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK REAR KITCHEN AREA, A HOOK FOR SPRAY DEVICE, AND THREE SINK STOPPERS FOR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,
  6. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST RESEAL/REPLACE RAW WOOD PREP COUNTER TABLE SURFACE, AND REPLACE MISSING CABINET DOORS FRONT PREP AREA
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREMISES, ALSO IN CORNERS
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN/REPAIR WALL AND BASE BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE

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