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ISLANDS CAFE CO.

5212 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ISLANDS CAFE CO. has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 6, 2023. The most recent inspection, on October 31, 2024, found no infractions.

1 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: Food source, labelling and allergens, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 13, 2023. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 once on June 6, 2023. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 June 6, 2023. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 12 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2024. 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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLER NEXT COOKING EQUIPMENTS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO TRANSFER FOOD PRODUCTS FROM AN OPEN ORIGINAL CAN CONTAINER INTO FOOD GRADE CONTAINER FOR PROPER FOOD STORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH SPILLED DEBRIS BEHIND THE REAR CHEST FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE THE UNISEX WASHROOM NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • 3-601.11 OBSERVED DESSERTS SUCH AS TRES LECHE AND FLAN IN CONTAINERS IN GRAB AND GO COOLER IN SEATING AREA WITHOUT LABEL IDENTIFYING NAME, INGREDIENTS OF DESSERTS AND SOURCE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH NAME AND INGREDIENTS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.11 OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-202.11 OBSERVED LIGHTS IN EXHAUST HOOD NOT WORKING. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL ALL EMPLOYEES IN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING WITHIN FIRST THIRTY DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON PERMISES.
  4. Canvass

    14 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY, HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES READ, SIGN AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA LOCATED NEXT TO EXIT DOOR WITH GLASS RINSER ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GLASS RINSER. DESIGNATED HANDWASHING SINKS ARE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED DESSERTS SUCH AS TRES LECHE AND FLAN IN CONTAINERS IN GRAB AND GO COOLER IN SEATING AREA WITHOUT LABEL IDENTIFYING NAME, INGREDIENTS OF DESSERTS AND SOURCE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH NAME AND INGREDIENTS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN KITCHEN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN SHELVING TO STORE ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS FOR TESTING QUAT SANITIZER IN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES ON ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW DEVICE SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED GROUND SURROUNDING DUMPSTER AND GREASE CONTAINER WITH DEBRIS AND LIGHT GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN DUMPSTER AREA SUCH AS PIZZA OVEN AND SMALL GRAY GARBAGE CAN. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER AND MAINTAIN AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN KITCHEN DISH WASHING AREA(SUCH AS PAINT CANS AND CLAMPS) AND STORAGE AREA ABOVE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED/STAINED FLOOR UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PIPES OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WRAPPED IN FOIL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOIL AROUND PIPES OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED LIGHTS IN EXHAUST HOOD AND COOLER IN SEATING AREA NOT WORKING. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED EXHAUST IN WASHROOM NOT WORKING AND MISSING VENT COVER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WASHROOM EXHAUST AND REPLACE VENT COVER.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL ALL EMPLOYEES IN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING WITHIN FIRST THIRTY DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON PERMISES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION PREMISES.

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