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MACLEAN CENTER CAFE

112 S MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60603 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MACLEAN CENTER CAFE has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 18, 2012. The most recent inspection, on July 10, 2024, found no infractions.

4 of 16 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 temperature control, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 25, 2023. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 30, 2019. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 28, 2019. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 30, 2019. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 November 8, 2017. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B) OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE OF THE HOT HOLDING UNIT LOCATED BY THE SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE AT THE SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE. OBSERVED ONE OF TWO HAND WASHING SINKS NOT PROPERLY TURNING ON IN THE WOMEN'S AND MEN'S TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS AROUND THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED ONE MISSING COVERED BIN IN THE WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEAD TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • FOUND A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGH OUT BACK INTERIOR WALL OF ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • FOUND NO THERMOMETER LOCATED IN REACH IN COOLER #2 MUST PROVIDE.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • FOUND 1 COMPARTMENT SINK ATTACHED TO FOOD PREPARATION TABLE, ACROSS FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. FOUND NO BARRIER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND 1 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED ACROSS FROM DISH AREA LEAKING FROM FAUCET KNOB. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER WITH BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB LOCATED IN 12TH FLOOR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • FOUND EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT WASHROOM (MEN AND WOMEN WASHROOM LOCATED ON THE 12TH FLOOR) HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE AT 68.9F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • FOUND A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGH OUT BACK INTERIOR WALL OF ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • FOUND NO THERMOMETER LOCATED IN REACH IN COOLER #2 MUST PROVIDE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FOUND APPROXIMATELY 10 RAT DROPPINGS UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA OF 2ND FLOOR NEXT TO WHERE ROUND TABLES ARE STORED. THE PREMISES MUST BE MAINTAINED FREE FROM RODENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE, CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN SAID AREA. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • FOUND 1 COMPARTMENT SINK ATTACHED TO FOOD PREPARATION TABLE, ACROSS FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. FOUND NO BARRIER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND 1 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED ACROSS FROM DISH AREA LEAKING FROM FAUCET KNOB. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • FOUND 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER WITH BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB LOCATED IN 12TH FLOOR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED AND A REMINDER AND A DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY, A REMINDER AND A DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • OBSERVED DESSERTS FOR SALE (12TH FLOOR) WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED A BLACK SUBSTANCE IN THE UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED THE FLOOR WITH ACCUMULATED DEBRIS INSIDE THE CHAIR STORAGE ROOM ON THE 2ND FLOOR AND UNDER THE PREP COUNTER ON THE 12TH FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULBS AND BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD OVER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND SHIELDING.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WASTE PIPE LEAKING UNDER THE LEFT BASIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE FOOD IS BEING HANDLED.
  9. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • BULK FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • WEAK WATER PRESSURE AT 12TH FLOOR PREP AREA HAND SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE UNDER CITY PRESSURE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS STORED IN PREP COOLER AND FOOD SHELVES, INSTRUCTED TO SEPARATE.
  10. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • OBSERVED THE SINGLR SERVICE FORKS AND SPOONS NOT STORED PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS WITH THE HANDLES IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SPRAYER HEAD HOSE HANGING INTO THE COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN THE SPRAYER HEAD HOSE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS IN THE PREP AREA OF THE 12TH FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE CAN OPENER.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULBS OVER THE 2ND FLOOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED WET MOPS IN THE PREP AREA ON THE 2ND FLOOR STORED IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WET MOPS HANGING OR INVERTED.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE FOOD IS BEING HANDLED.
  11. Canvass

    0 infractions

  12. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • PAPER CUPS USED AS A BULK-FOOD SCOOP, INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER MULT-USE UTENSIL.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER KEPT IN THE COLDEST PART, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN CLEAR VIEW IN WARMEST PART OF COOLER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS STORED NEXT TO FOOD CONTAINERS, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP AWAY.
  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR SHELF IN CABINET UNDER PREP SINK TO REMOVE STICKY SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE OR REPLACE WORN CUTTING BOARD AT PREP AREA WITH DARK CUTS AND GROOVES.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE A SHATTER PROOF BULB OR LIGHTSHIELD AT 2DR REFRIGERATOR AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST ADJUST TEMPERATURE VALVE AT HAND SINKS IN BOTH RESTROOMS.
  14. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  15. License

    1 infraction

    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • DISH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY WORKING/SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE IT FIXED. NO CITATION ISSUED.
  16. License

    0 infractions

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