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CAFE ESPRESSO

5700 S CICERO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60638 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE ESPRESSO has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 25, 2017. The most recent inspection, on November 19, 2021, found no infractions.

4 of 11 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, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

The last 4 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 April 4, 2019. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 April 4, 2019. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 April 25, 2017. 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 8 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 28, 2019. 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 28, 2019. 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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS(FORKS, SPOONS, KNIVES) NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS TO PROTECT LIP CONTACT SURFACES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED WORN AND DEEP GROOVED CUTTING BOARD ON PREP TABLE IN COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FAN GUARD INSIDE 2-DOOR COOLER AND CEILING VENTS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED INSECURE LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN LIGHT SHIELD.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK NEEDED AT FRONT SERVING LINE WHERE HOT HOLDING UNIT AND COFFEE STATION LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HAND WASHING SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PACKAGED HUMMUS DISPLAYED FOR SALE AND NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH NAME OF FOOD, INGREDIENTS, NET WEIGHT, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED LOOSE LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SECURE LIGHT SHIELD AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • EXPOSED HANSINK NEEDED AT FRONT SERVING LINE WHERE HOT HOLDING UNIT AND COFFEE STATION LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SINGLE SERVICE UTENSIL STORGE CONTAINERS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED. INSTD TO USE PROOPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CEILING TILES AND LIGHTSHIELDS NEAR VENTS NOT CLEAN, DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHTSHIELD MISSING FOR LIGHT AT INTERIOR OF COOKING HOOD. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • EXPOSED HANSINK NEEDED AT FRONT SERVING LINE WHERE HOT HOLDING UNIT AND COFFEE STATION LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE STAINED AND WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  9. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • EXPOSED HANSINK NEEDED AT FRONT SERVING LINE WHERE HOT HOLDING UNIT AND COFFEE STATION LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • EXTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP WITH RUSTY SURFACE. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR DRAIN IN REAR NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REAR EXPOSED HANDSINK SLOW DRAINING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND PROPERLY DRAINING.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.
  10. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • EXPOSED HANSINK NEEDED AT FRONT SERVING LINE WHERE HOT HOLDING UNIT AND COFFEE STATION LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA.
  11. License

    3 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • EXPOSED HANSINK NEEDED AT FRONT SERVING LINE WHERE HOT HOLDING UNIT AND COFFEE STATION LOCATED. INSTD TO INSTALL SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE IN SAME AREA.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NO LICENSED PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. INSTD TO PROVIDE COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK. VIOLATION 7-38-020 SERIOUS
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE PROVIDED. INSTD TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION 7-38-012A SERIOUS

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