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CAFE LIBRA

1905-1907 W FOSTER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60640 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE LIBRA has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 14, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 8, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 12 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 July 1, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times on July 1, 2026. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 2 times on July 1, 2026. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 July 1, 2026. 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 July 1, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NOTED PAPER TOWELS AT THE HAND WASH SINKS OF THE REAR PREP AND BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NOTED NO SOAP AT THE BASEMENT HAND WASH SINK OF THE DISH WASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATIONS.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • NOTED ESTABLISHMENT SERVING UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEMS (STEAKS AND EGGS) WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY, DISCLOSURE OR REMINDERS TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU WITH A DISCLOSURE NOTICE AND REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NOTED OVER 20 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND HAVE PREMISES TREATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • NOTED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLER/FREEZERS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNITS.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NOTED A LARGE MIXING BOWL UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS)
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL SHELVES AND COUNTER TOPS OF EQUIPMENT AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AT THE FOLLOWING AREAS:- FLOORS UNDERNEATH COOKING STOVE AND FRYERS AT THE FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA, FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER WITH FOOD SPILLS AND LIQUID, FLOORS THROUGH OUT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE. MUST CLEAN AND SANITZE AREAS WHERE RAT DROPPINGS WERE FOUND.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREAS ON SHELVES AND INSIDE THE DRY STORAGE ROOMS OF THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS A LINER ON TOP OF GREASE TRAP IN THE UPSTAIR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL FROM GREASE TRAP SO THAT SURFACE IS SMOOTH, DURABLE, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED LOW LIGHTING IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT, AND IN THE UPSTAIRS CUSTOMER RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
  4. License

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS WITH STAIN AND DEEP SEAMS ON TOP OF PREP COOLER AND NEXT TO THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/PAINT RAW WOOD PANEL BEHIND PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • BRICK WALL BEHIND COFFEE MACHINE AND CAPUCCINO MACHINE THE CAFE BAR AREA NEEDS TO BE FINISHED AND SEALED, MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH, NONABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (PIPES, VENTS, UNUSED EQUIPMENT ETC) STORED IN THE BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. OBSERVED UNUSED DISHMACHINE IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  5. License

    0 infractions

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