Skip to content
Loading map…

CAFE DESCARTES

327 N MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60601 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE DESCARTES has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 21, 2010. The most recent inspection, on October 31, 2014, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 once on September 11, 2013. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 3, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 11, 2013. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 11, 2013. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • UPON INSPECTION STAFF MEMBER SHOWED AN EXPIRED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE AND NO OTHER CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS PRESENT AT TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AT 8:25 A.M. THERE MUST ALWAYS BE A CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. THE OWNER ARRIVED AT 915AM WITH PROOF OF RECERTIFICATION LETTER.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR LEAKY HOT WATER FAUCET HANDLE AND LEAKY PIPE UNDER THE MOP SINK.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOOD PREP STAFF MUST WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS AT FOOD PREP AREAS AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED STAFF MAKING COFFEE DRINKS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS DURING INSPECTION.
  3. Short Form Fire-Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. PACKAGED CUT UP FRUITS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH PREP DATE.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE, NO CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ( STEAMING MILK ) INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DEAD BUGS AND SPILLS NOTED INSIDE CABINET AND PREP COOLER, INSTRUCTED MGR TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST KEEP 3 COMP SINK UNOBSTRUCTED, WITH SINK STOPPERS PROVIDED.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website