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LA CAFETERIA INC

4459 W LAWRENCE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LA CAFETERIA INC has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 22, 2024. The most recent inspection, on March 27, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 5 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene and Chemicals and toxic substances.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 24, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on April 22, 2024. For example: TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

  • 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 27, 2026. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 24, 2026. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded once on February 3, 2025. For example: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED REAR FLOOR MISSING FLOOR TILES. WOOD IS BEING USED AS A SUBSTITUTE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES TO ENSURE FLOOR IS EASILY CLEANABLE.
  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TINES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED OBSERVED 2 OF 3 HAND WASHING SINKS IN FACILITY WITH NO SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SOAP TO ALL HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGER HAD SOAP BOUGHT INSIDE AND PLACED AT HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED 3 OF 3 HAND WASHING SINKS WITH NO PAPER TOWELS/ HAND DRYING PROVISIONS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MANAGER SUPPLIED PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION CONSOLIDATED.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN ONE COMPARTMENT DRAINS ANOTHER ONE FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 4/22/24 INSPECTION # 25931516 NOT CORRECTED INCLUDING VIOLATION #10 OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION #28 OBSERVED PROPANE TANK AND PROPANE POWERED HOT PLATES USED IN REAR PREP AREA FOR TEA PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PROPANE TANK AND EQUIPMENT FROM PREMISES AND ONLY USE APPROVED COOKING EQUIPMENT. #51 UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTER AT ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.#56 6-304.11 OBSERVED TURBO CHEF OVEN IN REAR PREP AREA USED FOR EXTENSIVE COOKING SUCH AS PREPARING HAMBURGERS, EGGS, ETC. NOT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTIALATION. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090
  5. License

    10 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR REPSONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 28. TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED
      • OBSERVED PROPANE TANK AND PROPANE POWERED HOT PLATES USED IN REAR PREP AREA FOR TEA PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PROPANE TANK AND EQUIPMENT FROM PREMISES AND ONLY USE APPROVED COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTER AT ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT (COOLERS, COFFEE EQUIPMENT, ETC) IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED TURBO CHEF OVEN IN REAR PREP AREA USED FOR EXTENSIVE COOKING SUCH AS PREPARING HAMBURGERS, EGGS, ETC. NOT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTIALATION. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN CEILING OF REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED 1 FOOD EMPLOYEE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAININ AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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