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CAFE RAFAELO INC.

5645 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60659 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE RAFAELO INC. has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 3, 2015. The most recent inspection, on December 29, 2022, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 7 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 6, 2020. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2018. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on June 17, 2019. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 13 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on December 29, 2022. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on July 27, 2018. 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

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR UTILITY SINK, LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED VENT COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE DUST AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • NOTED EMPLOYEE IN FOOD PREP WITH LONG HAIR AND IMPROPER HAIR RESTRAIN WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAIN AT ALL TIMES WHEN PREPARING FOOD AND WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED THAT FACILITY SERVICE SINK WAS REMOVED. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN LADY'S BATHROOM
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THAT MOPS HAVE BEEN STORED ON FLOORS IN REAR AREA MUST PLACE MOPS OVER MOP SINK IN POSITION THAT CAN ALLOWS THEM AIR DRY WITH OUT SOILING WALLS AND FLOORS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER THROUGH OUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, PROPERLY ELEVATE STOCK 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS FOR BETTER CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • FOUND NO PAPER TOWEL INSIDE THE MEN'S WASHROOMS AND ON THE EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL HAND WASHING FACILITIES MUST BE PROVIDED WITH PAPER TOWEL OR HAND DRYER DEVICE. MANAGER PROVIDED THE PAPER TOWEL DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • WIPING CLOTH FOR WIPING THE FRONT COUNTER, PREP TABLES, MUST BE STORED ON A BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USES
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL ITEM/ARTICLES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT TO PREVENT RODENT/INSECTS HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR THE CRACKED /BROKEN FLOOR TILES BEHIND THE BAR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DUST BUILD-UP ON THE CEILING VENT COVER IN BOTH WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REEMOVE DUST,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 62. COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE
      • OBSERVED CUSTOMER SMOKING OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE BUSINESS AND INSIDE THE REAR ROOM WHILE DRINKING COFFEE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT NO SMOKING ARE ALLOWED IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT. FIRST OFFENSE FOR CLEAN IN DOOR ACT FOR 2019. OWNER ASKED THE CUSTOMER TO STOP SMOKING DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-32-015 CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO WRITTEN CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENT OR ADEQUATE TOOLS FOR CLEAN UP. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FRONT EXIT SCREEN DOOR FOUND WITH OPEN 4 INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL/DOOR ON ALL SIDES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • SHELVING UNDER THE ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH EXCESSIVE DIRT AND COFFEE DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • EXTREMELY LOW WATER PRESSURE AT THE HAND SINK IN THE MENS WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE GREATER WATER PRESSURE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES, OPENINGS AND CRACKS ON WALLS AND AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST
  6. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NOTED OVER 30 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE OF THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-020
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND AREAS WITH CIGARETTE STUMPS ESPECIALLY AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES, OPENINGS AND CRACKS ON WALLS AND AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
    • 70. NO SMOKING REGULATIONS
      • NOTED CUSTOMERS SMOKING ON PREMISES INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT SMOKING IS PROHIBITED INSIDE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO.FIRST OFFENSE OF THE CLEAN DOOR ACT FOR 2017 VIOLATION #7-32-015.
  7. License

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Front counter by 3 compartment sink had exposed raw wood, shall be repaired/sealed.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Cooler shelving, fan guard in cooler not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors in rear storage area, bsmt storage areas not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Ceiling in bsmt storage area had peeling paint/plaster, shall be repaired/sealed.

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