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DAMN FINE COFFEE BAR

3317 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

DAMN FINE COFFEE BAR has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 18, 2016. The most recent inspection, on December 31, 2024, recorded 2 infractions.

None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 November 28, 2023. 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 2 times on November 28, 2023. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 31, 2017. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 December 31, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • 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 July 31, 2017. For example: PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

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

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE MISSING CEILING PANELS ABOVE THE SERVICE SINK IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED COFFEE DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-304.11 THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WASHROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAN.
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 27. FOOD ADDITIVES: APPROVED AND PROPERLY USED
      • OBSERVED UNAPPROVED FOOD ADDITIVES ADDED TO DRINKS. OBSERVED CBD HONEY LATTES OFFERED FOR SALE ON THE MENU BOARD. PREMISES MIXES COLORADO HEMP HONEY WITH NATURAL HONEY AND ADDS IT TO A COFFEE DRINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT UNAPPROVED FOOD ADDITIVES SUCH AS CBD CANNOT BE SERVED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT MAINTAINED. THE LAST PEST INSPECTION REPORT IN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WAS FROM 2016. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTION REPORTS PER YEAR FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND MAINTAIN THEM IN THE LOG BOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • CLEAN THE PREP TABLES, GREASE TRAP AND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA NOT ELEVATED 6INCHES OFF FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS 6INCHES OFF FLOOR/WALL
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED
  5. 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
      • OBSERVED FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF. DOOR HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH OPENING ON BOTTOM DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED DIRT ON THE INTERIOR PANELS OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA NOT ELEVATED 6INCHES OFF FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS 6INCHES OFF FLOOR/WALL.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
  6. License

    1 infraction

    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • NOTED BATHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE BATH ROOM DOOR.

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