Skip to content
Loading map…

SANDWICHON CAFE

2651 N HARLEM AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60707 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SANDWICHON CAFE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 3, 2024. The most recent inspection, on February 23, 2026, recorded 10 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 10 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 23, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 23, 2026. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 4, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 June 4, 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 June 4, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    10 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE.HAND SINK BEING BLOCKED BY A LARGE FULL SHEET TRAY WITH BAKED PASTRIES WHILE FOOD HANDLERS ACTIVELY PREPARING FOODS AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER REMOVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED BROKEN/MISSING THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLERS LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE ACCURATE, WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE SAID COOLERS.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE KITCHEN STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVES IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PAINT OR SEAL THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MAKER.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATERSTAINED CEILING TILES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM (06/04/2025) WAS NOT DISPLAYED FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW.TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY WAS ISSUED AND MUST BE DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010 (B), CITATION ISSUED.
  2. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
    • 9. NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE USE BARE HANDS ON READY TO EAT FOOD. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER ASSEMBLE BREAKFAST SANDWICH (TOAST, EGG, HAM) WITH BARE HANDS TO SERVE TO CUSTOMER. MUST USE GLOVES OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE APPROVED METHODS WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOOD AND PRODUCTS. APPROXIMATELY 1LB AT $8 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. FOOD HANDLER WASHED HANDS AND PUT ON GLOVES WHEN INSTRUCTED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED TWO INACCESSIBLE HANDWASHING SINKS ON SITE. THERE AS AN EMPTY DETERGENT BOTTLE IN THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. THERE WAS A FULL SHEET TRAY WITH BAKED PASTRIES AND A CUTTING BOARD COVERING THE ENTIRE BASIN OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HANDWASHING SINKS SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEE USE. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS WERE CLEARED WHEN INSTRUCTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON FOOD NAME AND MAINTAIN.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED WHITE RICE AND YELLOW RICE INSIDE THE HOT HOLDING UNITS INSIDE FOOD 4 LESS DISPOSABLE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE SURFACES FOR STORING FOOD ITEMS.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED SPOONS AND FORKS NOT INVERTED IN AT THE DRAIN BOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE SURFACES UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILLS UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND IN NEED OF CLEANING.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE PIPE UNDER THE RINSE COMPARTMENT OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. LEAK IS CAUSING FLOOR TO BE WET. ALSO, FOUND THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH A SLOW DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED THE DOOR TO THE TOILET ROOM NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON MENTIONED DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
  4. License

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FACILITY
    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • OBSERVED INCORRECT CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENUS. ITEMS NOT STARRED ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED OR RAW ITEMS (EGGS, BURGERS, ETC.) INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT CONSUMER ADVISORY BY ADDED REMINDER (*) NEXT TO ITEMS THAT ARE NOT FULLY COOKED. MUST PROVIDE FOOTNOTE THAT STATES IF ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • FOUND METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES INOPERABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A WORKING THERMOMETER AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website