FOUR LETTER WORD COFFEE
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · COFFEE ROASTER
Inspection summary
FOUR LETTER WORD COFFEE has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 17, 2016. The most recent inspection, on June 23, 2025, recorded 4 infractions.
1 of 3 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.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk
Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.
Recorded once on June 23, 2025. For example:
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 23, 2025. For example:
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Food safety training and certificationLower risk
Many jurisdictions require a trained or certified person on site, such as a certified food handler. These findings mean the training record or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean anything was handled unsafely.
Recorded once on June 23, 2025. For example:
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be made of cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked surface or worn part. They are generally lower risk but show how well the place is maintained.
Recorded once on June 23, 2025. 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.
3 inspections
- Canvass
4 infractions
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
- 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
- OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR NECCESARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIAARHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD NEXT TO HANDSINK DIRECTLY NEXT TO DRAIN BOARDS WHERE COFFE MUGS ARE DRIED AND STORED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED FLOORS WITH COFFEE DEBRIS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT, UNDER PREP TABLES AND STORAGE SPACE. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES, CRATES AND COFFEE BAGS OFF FLOOR IN ORDER TO PREOPERLY CLEAN, REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS AND SANITIZE
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- License
1 infraction
- 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
- FLOOR MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST SEAL FLOOR AT WALL IN AREA WHERE BAGS OF COFFEE BEANS ARE STORED.
- 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
- License
0 infractions
Nearby inspected facilities
- CACAOABUNGA
1400 W 46th ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
9 inspections
- Fat Peach Bakery
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
1 inspection
- PEERLESS BREAD & JAM, INC
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
5 inspections
- NO DENIAL
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
1 inspection
- SomosMonos Cerveceria
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
3 inspections
- WHINER BEER COMPANY
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
6 inspections
- FARMBOX
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
1 inspection
- WHISKEY ROW CAFE
1400 W 46TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609
1 inspection