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PINI PICO COFFEE CO

1536-1538 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60610 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

PINI PICO COFFEE CO has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 1, 2020. The most recent inspection, on May 7, 2026, found no infractions.

4 of 9 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 3, 2025. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 November 15, 2022. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 once on July 3, 2025. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 once on July 3, 2025. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 April 8, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS (EMPANADAS, EGGS ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 6. PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
      • NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO AND DEFROST, CLEAN MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS (EMPANADAS, PASTRIES, SANDWICHES) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER AND EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA, THE REAR DISH WASHING/STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING, BREEDING AND HARBORING.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED A HEAVY BUILD UP OF DUST ON THE VENTS IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS BEING PREPARED IN SERVICE AREA.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CREAM, MILK, EGGS, AND DELI SANDWICHES) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 50.1F - 55.7 F LOCATED IN ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER DISCARDED ALL TCS FOODS AT A TOTAL COST OF $400. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR OF 50.1F AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES. TAGGED UNIT HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. COS. .
  7. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
  8. License

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS MASK, GLOVES DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER AND MUST MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENING ON BOTTOM FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED NO BARRIER OR PROTECTION AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA BETWEEN GLASS RINSE STATION AND CUSTOMERS AND TAP COLD BREW COFFEE AND KOMBUCHA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BARRIER SNEEZE GUARD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDE IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  9. License

    0 infractions

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