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NANCY'S BAKERY AND CAKES

5221 S KEDZIE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60632 · Bakery

Inspection summary

NANCY'S BAKERY AND CAKES has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 5, 2019. The most recent inspection, on March 31, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

None of the 11 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Pests.

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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 30, 2023. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 2 times on March 24, 2026. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times on March 24, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 June 7, 2024. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 11, 2021. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19: OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED TO ELEVATE CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE USAGE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 46.9-57.6F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, RAW EGG IN SHELL(55.8-57.6F), CREAM CHEESE(46.9F)AND CAKE CONTAINING MILK(47.5-48.6F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $200 WEIGHING 50LBS PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED TWO DOOR LARGE REFRIGERATOR AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 50.2F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON TWO DOOR LARGE REFRIGERATOR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS AT RIGHT SIDE AND BASE OF REAR EXIT OUTER DOOR OF FACILITY, LEADING TO OUTSIDE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN FACILITY. OBSERVED MOUSE DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE RODENT ACTIVITY, REMOVE MOUSE DROPPINGS AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 3/24/2026. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN DISHWASHING AREA AND IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED TO ELEVATE PANS IN DISHWASHING AREA AND CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE USAGE OF MILK CRATES FOR ELEVATION AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 0BSERVED OPENING IN BETWEEN FLOOR AND WALL IN BASEMENT STORAGE UNDERNEATH WHITE SHELVING INSTALLED ON WALL. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR OPENING IN BETWEEN WALL AND FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE UNDERNEATH WHITE SHELVING INSTALLED ON WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • AT TIME OF INSPECTION FACILITY PROVIDED EXPIRED ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES
  3. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGE TO WALL NEAR BASEMENT BEHIND LARGE STATIONARY EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD RESIDUE ON GASKETS OF 2-DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ITEMS STORED IN THE BASEMENT ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE MEANS TO ELEVATE ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN THEM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OUTLET COVER MISSING FROM SOCKET BEHIND REGISTER AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FOR THE PREVENTION OF OEST HARBORAGE.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
  6. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWEL IN THE WASHROOM AT THE WASHBOWL SINK NOR AT THE HAND-SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWEL FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN BREAD STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAIN STOP LEVERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • NOTED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2565351 CONDUCTED ON 10/14/22: #39-MUST ELEVATE FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT HOT WATER TANK AREA, #47-MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2 & 3 DOOR REACH IN COOLERS. MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS. #55-MUST REMOVE, ELEVATE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR AND FROM IN BETWEEN EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND BASEMENT, AND #56-MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS IN PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
  7. Complaint

    9 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST ELEVATE FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT HOT WATER TANK AREA AND STORAGE ROOM.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2 & 3 DOOR REACH IN COOLERS.MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR STORAGE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS. MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD FOOD SHELVING UNITS IN BASEMENT HOT WATER TANK AREA.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PRESSOR,FLOOR MIXER,REAR PORCH REFRIGERATOR,EXTERIOR OF BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL BEHIND PRESSOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD SPLATTER FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE,ELEVATE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND FROM IN BETWEEN EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND INCLUDING BASEMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND BASEMENT.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTER PROOF BULBS IN PREP AREA.
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • PRE PACKAGED CAKES FOR SELF SERVICE NOT LABELED. INSTD TO LABEL WITH BUSINESS. NAME. ADDRESS, AND INGREDIENTS
  9. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • CLEAN EQUIPMENT IMPROPERLY STORED ON FLOOR IN CRATES AND MULTI USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE PROPERLY OFF FLOOR AND MULTI USE UTENSILS HANDLE UP.
  10. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED PROCEDURES FOR CLEANING UP VOMIT AND DIARRHEA, BUT MISSING SOME NECESSARY ITEMS AND A DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED PREPACKAGED CAKES AND JELLO IN THE TWO DOOR COOLER WITHOUT PROPER LACELS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED THE UNISEX TOILET ROOMTRASH RECEPTACLE WITHOUT COVER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER.
  11. License

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide written policy. Priority foundation violation.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy/equipment on site. Must provide written procedure and equipment for the clean up of vomit and diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • No proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training.

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