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PROVIDENT CAFE

500 E 51ST ST, CHICAGO, IL 60615 · Hospital

Inspection summary

PROVIDENT CAFE has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 19, 2017. The most recent inspection, on August 12, 2026, found no infractions.

6 of 14 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: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for the people in care. Higher-risk findings are the ones that could directly make someone sick, and they matter more here because young children, older adults and people who are unwell are more vulnerable to infection.

  • 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, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 14, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Surfaces, dishes and tools that touch food or people must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected. Inspectors check sanitizer strength, dishwasher temperatures and how cleaning is done. Poor sanitizing lets germs survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 21, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hand hygiene is the most important way to stop germs spreading between children, residents and staff. Inspectors check that sinks are stocked and easy to reach, that staff wash their hands when required (for example after diapering or before handling food), and that sick staff stay away from work.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 14, 2021. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

    Recorded once on December 23, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 11 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on April 21, 2025. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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.

14 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DRY STORAGE SHELVING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE FIXTURES IN THE MEN WASHROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG THE WALLS BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS. ALSO CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE WASHROOMS.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED THE THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE WALKING COOLER NOT PROPERLY WORKING. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 35 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR BEHIND ICE MACHINE AND POP SYRUP STORAGE, AND ON THE ROLLING STORAGE RACKS, 25 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERD ON THE FLOOR BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND DETAIL CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-020(A).
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN POT RACK STORAGE SHELVING TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE MEN/STAFF WASHROOM(SINK,FLOORS AND URNIAL).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS NEED CLEANING THROUGH OUT ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE KITCHEN. ESPECIALLY WHERE MICE DROPPINGS WERE FOUND.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER THE SERVING LINE IN THE FRONT AREA.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA AS REQUIRED; MUST IN STALL WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND HAND DRYING DEVICE OR HAND TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR UNDER SHELVES IN DRY STORAGE ROOM. (CDI) INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE CEILING VENT IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 250 MICE DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING FOOD PREP, FOOD SERVICE AND STORAGE AREAS: ON LEDGES AND ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH HOT AND COLD FOOD SERVING LINES, ON COUNTER TOPS, ALONG COOKING EQUIPMENT, ON STORAGE SHELVES, ON ROLLING FOOD CARTS, ALONG WALL BEHIND ICE MACHINE,IN CHEMICAL STORAGE ROOM, IN UTILITY STORAGE AREA, UNDER SINKS,BEHIND REACH IN COOLERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AREAS, IN VENTS IN DINING AREA AND THROUGHOUT. ALSO OBSERVED LIVE MOUSE IN DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS, LIVE RODENT AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AT CORNERS. ALSO CLEAN FLOORS AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE DISH MACHINE, SINKS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING RACKS AND COUNTERS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST SEAL OPENING AT WALL IN CHEMICAL STORAGE ROOM TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY POINTS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST SEAL LOSE COVING ALONG WALL BASE AT FLOOR IN KITCHEN BY WALK-IN COOLER AND WHERE NECESSARY.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED.
  10. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • Observed no written employee health plan on site. Must provide written employee health plan. Priority foundation 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • Must provide written vomit and diarrhea clean up procedure. Priority foundation 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Observed approximately 85 mice droppings in the following areas: in corner of front prep area; along walls near coolers (near dish machine); on floor under ice machine; in dry storage room; and on floor near empty garbage cans. Must remove all droppings, clean and sanitize. Must eliminate pest issue. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a).
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • Observed excessive derbis build up on tray holders. Must detail clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Observed excessive debris build up on floors of walk in freezer. Must detail clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.
  12. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  13. License

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED 15 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED INSIDE CABINETS UNDER HOT AND COLD HOLDING UNITS IN CAFETERIA SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE AND ROLLING CARTS IN PREP AREA, CABINETS UNDER SERVING LINE, SURFACES UNDER GRILL AND BASE OF DISPLAY COOLER IN CAFETERIA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SECURE LOOSE EXPOSED SINK TO WALL NEAR DISH MACHINE. CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD IN CAFETERIA. REPLACE ALL DAMAGED TILES ALONG BASEBOARDS IN PREP/HALLWAY AREAS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR LEAK UNDER EXPOSED SINK NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND LEAKING HOT WATER HANDLE ON EXPOSED SINK NEAR DISH MACHINE.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • STORE ALL STOCK AND EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM WALLS AND CORNERS IN DRY STORAGE AND CATERING STORAGE AREAS FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL.
  14. License

    0 infractions

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