Skip to content
Loading map…

HERO COFFEE BAR

1100 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60607 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HERO COFFEE BAR has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 22, 2018. The most recent inspection, on January 24, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 4 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 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 2 times on September 10, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 February 22, 2018. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 3 times on September 10, 2019. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 10, 2019. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • 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 once on February 22, 2018. For example: WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (EGGS, DELI MEAT BAGELS, SLICED TOMATOES, ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE CFM ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. MUST MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATIONS VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO WRITTEN POLICY POSTED ON SITE OR NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIAARHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN POSSIBLE OCCUR IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST OBTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED PLUMBING FEATURE (TOILET ) IN RESTROOM IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED CEILING VENT IN RESTROOM ACCUMULATED WITH EXCESSIVE DUST. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR FOOD HANDLERS. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. License

    4 infractions

    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • NO HOT RUNNING WATER IN THE CUSTOMER/STAFF TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE HOT WATER IN TOILET ROOM. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • MUST INSTALL APPROPRIATE SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT COUNTER FOR FOOD PROTECTION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST INSTALL MISSING CEILING TILE IN STAFF/CUSTOMER TOILET ROOM.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST INSTALL SHATTERPROOF LIGHTS OR LIGHT SHIELDS ON LIGHTS HANGING OVER FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website