LOVE & LIGHT CAFE
5107 S BLACKSTONE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60615 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
LOVE & LIGHT CAFE has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 17, 2020. The most recent inspection, on June 25, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.
1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
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.
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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 31, 2025. For example:
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded once on October 24, 2023. For example:
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 25, 2026. For example:
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
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 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 31, 2025. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 25, 2026. 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.
7 inspections
- Canvass
2 infractions
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.
- 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
- OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- Canvass
2 infractions
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COOLER AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- FLOORS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS AROUND EQUIPMENT AND ALONG THE WALL BASE.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- Canvass
2 infractions
- 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
- OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY AS REQUIRED WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED, PREPARED OR SERVERD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
- 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
- Canvass
3 infractions
- 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
- OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY AS REQUIRED WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED, PREPARED OR SERVERD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012.
- 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
- MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR SHELVING OF THE REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- FLOORS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.
- 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
- Canvass
2 infractions
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- FOUND NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS BEHIND FRONT SERVING COUNTER; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
- 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
- OBSERVED A LOOSE RUBBER GASKET AT THE TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
- 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
- License
4 infractions
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
- 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
- OBSERVED AN OPENING IN THE WALL UNDER THE ONE COMP SINK IN REAR PREP AREA; SEAL OPENING IN WALL AROUND PIPES.
- 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
- INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
- 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
- INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
- 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
- License
0 infractions
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