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FIRST SLICE PIE CAFE

1969 W MONTROSE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60613 · Bakery

Inspection summary

FIRST SLICE PIE CAFE has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 23, 2021. The most recent inspection, on April 22, 2025, recorded 10 infractions.

2 of 9 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, 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2025. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2025. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 22, 2025. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 14 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2025. 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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL FREEZERS AND COOLERS STORED WITH PRODUCTS INSIDE IN FRONT DINING AREA ALLOWING PUBLIC ACESS TO THE UNLOCKED FREEZERS AND COOLERS. MUST PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM THE PUBLIC AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORED WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED SCOOPS STORED INSIDE SUGAR CONTAINER LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED FOR ELEVATION OF FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND REAR FOOD STOARGE AREA. MUST REMOVE MILK CRATES FROM PREMISES AND MUST USE APPROVED SHELVING FOR PRODUCT ELEVATION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENT INSIDE UNISEX WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMGED FLOOR TILES IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA/FOOD PREPARATION AREA. NOTED FLOOR TILES IN NEED OF REGROUT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE TO HAVE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED SEVERAL OPENINGS IN TO CEILING IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST SEAL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED A FEW LIGHT BULBS OFF IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPALCE AND PROVIDE INTENSITY LIGHTING.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES' BELONGINGS IN BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO STORE THEIR BELONGIGS
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PRROF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-201.11 - OBSERVED GASKETS OF STANDING 2 DOOR COOLERS IN FRONT DINING AREA TO BE HEAVILY TORN AND DAMAGED. ISNTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL DAMAGED GASKETS IN STANDING COOLERS.
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO SOAP AVAILABLE AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SOAP AT ALL HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-030(c). CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE VIOLATION.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK IN THE BASEMENT PREPARATION AND STORAGE AREA. OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF FOOD PREPARATION OCURRING IN BASEMENT, WITH MULTIPLE PREPARATION TABLES, MIXING EQUIPMENT, UTENTSILS, AND FOOD CONTAINERS OPEN PRESENT AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK WITH PLUMBED HOT AND COLD WATER, SOAP, AND PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-030(c). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED UTENSILS STORED ON SHELVES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND FIRST FLOOR REAR PREPARATION AREA WITH FOOD CONTACT SURFACES EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS TO PROTECT FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AGAINST POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED GASKETS OF STANDING 2 DOOR COOLERS IN FRONT DINING AREA TO BE HEAVILY TORN AND DAMAGED. ISNTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL DAMAGED GASKETS IN STANDING COOLERS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CAULKING BEHIND THE HANDSINK NEXT TO BASEMENT ENTRANCE TO BE HEAVILY DAMAGED, WITH A LARGE GAP PRESENT BEHIND THE HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE BEHIND THE HAND SINK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING BATHROOM DOOR PRESENT ON THE NORTHERN BATHROOM LOCATED IN REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING BATHROOM DOOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE LEFT HAND DOOR OF THE 3 DOOR REACH IN COOLER NEXT TO BASEMENT DOOR AND ICE MACHINE AT FRONT COFFEE PREPARATION AREA TO BE DAMAGED, CAUSING BOTH DOORS TO FALL OFF WHEN ATTEMPTED TO OPEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO PROVIDE FUNCTIONAL DOORS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NON-FUNCTIONAL 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO EITHER SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE FUNCTIONAL OR REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT DEEMED NOT NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FACILITY.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES AND OPENINGS AT THE BASEMENT FOODDRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENING TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PEST. ALSO NOTED STAINED CEILING TILES AT THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED MISSING LIGHTS AT SOME SECTION OF THE BASMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE LIGHTING WITH A SHATTER PROOF BULB.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (PIES, CHICKEN SOUPS ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED, AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NOTED A STRAINER INSIDE THE DELI HAND WASH SINK MAKING IT INACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. INSTRUCTED TO USE THE HAND WASHING SINK FOR HAND WASH ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT THE FOLLOWING SINKS. HOT WATER TEMPERATURES WERE AS FOLLOWS:-HAND WASH SINKS BY THE COOKING STOVE LEADING TO THE BASEMENT 60.4F, ONE COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE COFFEE STATION PREP AREA 60.6F AND HAND WASHING SINK AT THE COFFEE PREP AREA 61.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO HAVE HOT RUNNING WATER OF ABOUT 100F MINIMUM FOR HAND WASH SINKS AND 110F FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NOTED SLOW WATER DRAIN AT THE HAND WASHING SINK BY THE COOKING STOVE LEADING TO THE BASEMENT FOOD DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED MULTIPKE HOLES AND OPENINGS AT THE BASEMENT FOODDRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENING TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PEST. ALSO NOTED STAINED CEILING TILES AT THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • NOTED MISSING LIGHTS AT SOME SECTION OF THE BASMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST PROVIDE LIGHTING WITH A SHATTER PROOF BULB.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED COOKING UTENSILS (FLAT EDGE SPATULAS AND SAUCEPANS) IN THE DISHWASHING AREA AND UNDERNEATH THE VENTILATION HOOD IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL COOKING UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY ELEVATED WITH MILK CRATES. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL SAID ITEMS ON PROPER SHELVING UNITS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SLIGHT FOOD DEBRIS BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH THE VENTILATION HOOD INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. License

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NOTED A PREP TABLE WITH CAN OPENER ATTACHED TO TABLE AND A BLENDER WITH NO HAND WASHING SINK AT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A HAND WASHING SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS OR REMOVE PREP TABLE UPON BEING RE-INSPECTED. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • NOTED ESTABLISHMENT SERVING UNDER COOKED FOOD ITEMS (HAMBURGERS) 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. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NOTED A PREP TABLE WITH CAN OPENER ATTACHED TO TABLE AND A BLENDER WITH NO PREP SINK OR A 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INSTALL A PREP SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER OR A 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR REMOVE PREP TABLE UPON BEING RE-INSPECTED.
  9. License

    0 infractions

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