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DULCE DE LECHE CAFECITO

4054 N WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

DULCE DE LECHE CAFECITO has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 7, 2023. The most recent inspection, on December 15, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food source, labelling and allergens, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.

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.

  • 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 2 times on March 7, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 January 24, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 once on March 25, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 15, 2025. For example: IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY 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 2 times on March 7, 2023. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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

    1 infraction

    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING IN-USE UTENSILS STORED IMPROPERLY BETWEEN USES: KNIVES IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA STORED BETWEEN COOLER AND FOOD PREP SURFACE, SCOOP IN THE DRY STORAGE AREA STORED WITH HANDLE BURIED IN FOOD ITEM (FLOUR). INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN-USE UTENSILS ON A CLEAN, SANITIZED SURFACE OR SUCH THAT HANDLES ARE ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT CONTACTING FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SPLASH GUARD NEEDED ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HAND SINK NEXT TO ADJACENT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK DRAINBOARD. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED NO LABEL FOR PRE PACKAGED YOGURT PARFAIT, NOURISH BOWL, CHURRO CHEESECAKE, FRUIT SALAD, TRES LECHES CAKE AND OVERNIGHT OATS DISPLAYED FOR SALE INSIDE DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, ALL PREPACKAGED FOODS ON PREMISES FOR SALE MUST HAVE PROPER IDENTIFICATION. (NAME OF PRODUCT, INGREDIENTS, NET QUANTITY OF CONTENTS, NAME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS OF MANUFACTURER, PACKER OR DISTRIBUTOR).
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL SOME FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SUGAR ETC) IN REAR PREP AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/PAINT RAW WOOD UNDERNEATH FRONT COUNTER SHELVES.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIGHTING.

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