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OROMO CAFE BUCKTOWN

1912 N WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

OROMO CAFE BUCKTOWN has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 30, 2019. The most recent inspection, on July 10, 2026, found no infractions.

2 of 11 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 11 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 12, 2026. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on January 7, 2026. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 June 30, 2023. 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 once on March 14, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on September 13, 2019. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17 OBSERVED BOTH UNISEX TOILETROOM RECEPTACLES WITHOUT COVERINGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • 5-501.115 OBSERVED TRASH AND UNUSED FACILITY EQUIPMENT STORED OUTSIDE REAR EXIT DOOR IN REFUSE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SAID ENCLOSURE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.13 OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP/STORAGE AREAS INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED INTERIOR SURFACES OF CABINEST LOCATED THROUGHOUT FRONT PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL COFFEE DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED IN USE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA SANITIZING STRENGTH AT 0PPM DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE MACHINE TO PROPERLY SANITIZE KITCHENWARE/ UTENSILS BETWEEN 50-100PPM. MUST MAINTAIN. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED BOTH UNISEX TOILETROOM RECEPTACLES WITHOUT COVERINGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED TRASH AND UNUSED FACILITY EQUIPMENT STORED OUTSIDE REAR EXIT DOOR IN REFUSE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN SAID ENCLOSURE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP/STORAGE AREAS INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR SURFACES OF CABINEST LOCATED THROUGHOUT FRONT PREP IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL COFFEE DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • FOODHANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
  5. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY.MUST STORE INVERTED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREAS.MUST CLEAN
  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 47.8 F AND 54.1 F INSIDE SANDWICH REACH IN COOLER- CHEESE, CUT TOMATOES, BEET HUMMUS, DICED CUCUMBERS, GOAT SPREAD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. ALL SAID OUT OF TEMPERATURE TCS FOODS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. FOODS DISCARDED WEIGHT- 9 LBS, VALUED AT $150.00.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • FOUND SANDWICH COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 54.1 F, FOUND BEET HUMMUS, GOAT SPREAD, ETC. INSIDE SAID COOLER ALSO FOUND MILK COOLER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 60.0 F HOWEVER MILK COOLER WAS EMPTY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR BOTH COOLERS, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PREMISES SERVES COFFEE WITH MILK AND SANDWICHES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 2 SEPARATE CUSTOMERS WALK IN WITH DOGS INSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT TO PICK UP FOOD ORDERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ONLY SERVICE ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-40-060. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • CLEAN THE DUST BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS.
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE.
  9. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.14(O) Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Violation Codes: 4-501.11 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED SIDE PANEL ON ICE MACHINE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 4-601.11(C) Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINET AND OVEN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAININGS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
  10. License

    12 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER NOT TALL ENOUGH "5FT." IS NEEDED IT IS ONLY "4FT.1IN.".FOR FOOD PROTECTION. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED SIDE PANEL ON ICE MACHINE.WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR PREP COOLERS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRYER CABINET AND OVEN,WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A LID FOR GARBAGE CANS IN UNISEX TOILET ROOMS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER WALLS & CEILING.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT IN WINDOW SILLS IN DINING AREA AND ON WALL NEAR FREEZER IN DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST INSTALL MISSING WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS.MUST SEAL OPENINGS AND GAPS UNDER FRONT SERVICE COUNTER CUSTOMER SIDE,GAP UNDER SHELF ABOVE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA,GAPS AT FLOOR DRAINS UNDER REAR DUMP SINK & AT WALL & FLOOR IN SAME AREA,FLOOR DRAIN IN CENTER OF FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA NEAR COOKING EQUIPMENT,FLOOR TILE AT SWINGING DOOR INTO FRONT PREP AREA,OPENINGS IN CEILINGS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRI BUILD UP IN FLOOR DRAIN UNDER 3- COMP SINK.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST PROVIDE ADEQAUTE LIGHTING ABOVE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAININGS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  11. License

    0 infractions

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