Skip to content
Loading map…

SOLOWAY COFFEE

2275 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SOLOWAY COFFEE has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 26, 2023. The most recent inspection, on June 2, 2026, recorded 8 infractions.

1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 7, 2025. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 2, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 March 7, 2025. 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 once on June 2, 2026. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • 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 2, 2026. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FROZEN MEAT BEING IMPROPERLY STORED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE ON A COOLING RACK. REVIEWED PROPER COOLING METHODS. MANAGER REMOVED AND MOVED TO A COOLER.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST NOT STORE THE ICE SCOOP ON THE TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER OR INVERTED INSIDE THE ICE.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE FRONT COFFEE PREP MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • RAW PRESSED WOOD UNDER THE KITCHEN OVEN MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED TO BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON ABSORBENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MISSING DRAIN COVER IN THE UTILITY MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS BEING STORED THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES AND ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE REPLACED.
  2. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD ITEMS AND BOXES OF OIL STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE UPSTAIRS DRY STORAGE AREA AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES AT TIME OF INSPECTION WEARING ANY EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS OR BEARD COVER FOR ONE EMPLOYEE WITH A LARGE BEARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WORKING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR AND BEARD RESTRAINTS.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS STORED BENEATH UNPROTECTED/NOT SHIELDED WASTEWATER AND SEWER LINES IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA ALONG TWO WALLS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHIELDING OR MOVE ALL FOOD ITEMS AND STORAGE BINS FROM BELOW ANY UNPROTECTED SEWER AND WASTEWATER LINES.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • MIXING BOWLS IN THE PREP AREA STORAGE RACKS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD ITEMS AND BOXES OF OIL STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE UPSTAIRS DRY STORAGE AREA AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES AT TIME OF INSPECTION WEARING ANY EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS OR BEARD COVER FOR ONE EMPLOYEE WITH A LARGE BEARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WORKING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR AND BEARD RESTRAINTS.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS STORED BENEATH UNPROTECTED/NOT SHIELDED WASTEWATER AND SEWER LINES IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA ALONG TWO WALLS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHIELDING OR MOVE ALL FOOD ITEMS AND STORAGE BINS FROM BELOW ANY UNPROTECTED SEWER AND WASTEWATER LINES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED 3 CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE EVERY CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MAINTAINS ALLERGEN TRAINING AND PROOF OF COMPLETION.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE ON PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MISSING SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND FRONT PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • MUST PROVIDE DRAIN BOARD ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO DRAIN AND AIR DRY UTENSILS.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR COFFEE EXPRESSO MACHINE LOCATED AT FRONT COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTOR DEVICE. MUST B E LOCATED SO THAT CAN BE SERVICE AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED UPRIGHT 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR COOLER OR REMOVED FROM PREMISES.
  5. License

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE ON PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED NO PERMANENT SNEEZEGUARD PROVIDED AROUND THE FRONT COUNTER COFFEE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A BARRIER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BY THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MISSING SPLASHGUARD IN BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND FRONT PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE QUATERNARY SANITIZER AT THE 30 COMPARTMENT SINK AND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE. MUST PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS TO MONITOR SANITIZING LEVELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO ITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • MUST PROVIDE DRAIN BOARD ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO DRAIN AND AIR DRY UTENSILS.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR COFFEE EXPRESSO MACHINE LOCATED AT FRONT COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTOR DEVICE. MUST B E LOCATED SO THAT CAN BE SERVICE AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED UPRIGHT 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR COOLER OR REMOVED FROM PREMISES.
  6. License

    0 infractions

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website