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SPUTNIK COFFEE COMPANY

2057 W 51ST ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SPUTNIK COFFEE COMPANY has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 29, 2018. The most recent inspection, on December 4, 2025, found no infractions.

2 of 5 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: Protecting food from contamination 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 4, 2018. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • 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 once on March 27, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

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

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 27, 2020. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times on March 27, 2020. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

  • 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 once on March 29, 2018. For example: WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NOTED NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE WITH CLEAN-UP KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN BASEMENT. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT AREA OF COFFEE BEAN SPILLS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING VENT COVERS AT CEILING OF CUSTOMER DINING AREA. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • Observed prep area not protected. Observed exposed waste water pipes above prep area, and running vertically in rear of prep area. Must completely encase all waste water pipes. Must maintain same. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).
  5. License

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • Observed prep area not protected. Must provide barrier, separating the prep area from the customer area. Must provide barrier on front counter. Observed exposed waste water pipes above prep area, and running vertically in rear of prep area. Must completely encase all waste water pipes. Observe porous brick walls in prep area. Must seal all porous surfaces to make smooth and easily cleanable. Must maintain same. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Observed wood on floor covering sump pump in basement. Must provide sewer cover, or properly cover opening with a material that fits properly and is non porous. Must maintain same. Must provide drain cover for utility sink drain. Must provide splash guard on left side of hand sink in counter next to coffee machine. Must maintain same.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Observed gaps in brick in prep area, and hole in wall of basement stairwell. Must seal all holes to prevent pest entry. Must maintain same. Observed raw wood on rear wall. Must seal or paint to make non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable. Must maintain same.

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