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SPECIALTY'S CAFE & BAKERY

77 S DEARBORN ST, CHICAGO, IL 60603 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SPECIALTY'S CAFE & BAKERY has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 19, 2013. The most recent inspection, on November 18, 2022, found no infractions.

4 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 10, 2018. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 28, 2017. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 April 10, 2018. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 18, 2014. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 13 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on April 17, 2020. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND GASKET ON BOTH PREP COOLERS IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPLACE
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND ALL CUTTING BOARDS DISCOLORED WITH DEEP CUTS. MUST RESURFACE OR REPLACEREPLACE.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND ALL CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP CUTS AND DISCOLORED. MUST REMOVE AND REPLACE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • FOUND GASKET ON BOTH PREP COOLERS IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPLACE.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • FOUND GREASE TRAP RUSTED THROUGHOUT BOTTOM PORTION. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED 30 SMALL FLIES LOCATED ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA AND BY THE UTILITY SINK IN REAR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. ALSO OBSERVED SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED WITH A 1/2 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, MAKE SAID SIDE ENTRANCE DOOR RODENT PROOFED AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOORS WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT DEBRIS LOCATED AROUND THE ICE MACHINE AND THE HOT WATER HEATER AS WELL AS UNDER THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER LOCATED IN THE MILK REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAINS.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE HANDLING FOOD.
  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Shelves not clean inside walk-in cooler, dirt and food debris noted. instructed to clean and maintain.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • Irremovable ice scoop holder next to ice maker not clean, instructed to clean and maintain.
  9. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • INADEQUATE INSECTS CONTROL, FOUND ABOUT 30 LIVE FRUIT FLIES THROUGH OUT KITCHEN AND DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MGR TO ELIMINATE INSECTS ACTIVITY IN ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PEAT CONTROL SERVICE RECOMMEDED. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FOOD DEBRIS NOTED ON SHELVES ABOVE PREP COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS NOT CLEAN ALONG WALL BASE AND CORNERS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS WITH DEEP DAR GRROVES AND/OR DISCOLORED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL CUTTING BOARDS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED THE PLUMBING LEAKING UNDER THE MIDDLE BASIN OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL PLUMBING.
  12. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • FOOD CONTAINER ( BAG OF SUGAR ) NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FRONT PASTRY DISPLAY CASE MISSING A SNEEZE GUARD PANEL NEXT TO CASH REGISTER, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FAN COVER IN WALK-IN COOLER WITH DUST BUILD-UP, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • DELI SLICER NOT CLEAN AT BLADE HOUSING, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • DIRT AND SLIME BUILD-UP AROUND FLOOR DRAIN UNDER SODA FOUNTAIN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  13. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REMOVE DIRT AND DEBRIS.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED.
  14. License

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • DURING INSPECTION OBSERVED FRONT DOOR AND SIDE NOT RODENT PROOFED WITH A 1/4 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS. PROJECT MANAGER CALLED UP LABORERS TO INSTALL DOOR SWEEPS AT BOTH DOORS DURING INSPECTION.CDI.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOORS TO REMOVE DUST BUILD-UP THROUGHOUT MAIN CUSTOMER SITTING AREA.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND BOXES FROM PREMISES.

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