SWADESI CAFE
328 S JEFFERSON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60661 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
SWADESI CAFE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 11, 2024. The most recent inspection, on May 27, 2026, recorded 4 infractions.
1 of 4 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.
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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 8, 2025. For example:
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
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 May 27, 2026. For example:
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
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 May 27, 2026. For example:
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 27, 2026. For example:
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
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 2 times on December 3, 2024. For example:
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
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
- Complaint
4 infractions
- 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
- OBSERVED NO PERSON-IN-CHARGE ON-SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE(S) DISPLAYED ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
- 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
- OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE ON-SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE WHILE FACILITY IS PREPARING TCS FOOD ITEMS (PROTEINS, DAIRY, FRIED FOODS) AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE(S) DISPLAYED ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
- 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
- OBSERVED FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COFFEE AREA ICE MACHINE TO BE MILDLY SOILED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FOOD- AND NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN TO SIGHT AND TOUCH.
- 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
- OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOOD ITEMS (COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED POTATOES) IN COLD-HODLING UNITS THROUGHOUT FACILITY STORED COVERED BY FOOD CONTAINER LIDS OR PLASTIC WRAP WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS LOOSELY-COVERED OR UNCOVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.
- 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
- Canvass
3 infractions
- 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
- PERSON IN CHARGE WITH NO SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE.MUST PROVIDE.
- 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
- FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS.(HANDLES CHICKEN,MILK,ETC.)PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-012.MUST PROVIDE.
- 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
- FOUND NO HAND SOAP/DISPENSER AT HAND SINK BY COFFEE PREPARATION AREAS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-030C.SUPPLIED HAND SOAP BY THE END OF INSPECTION.
- 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
- Complaint
4 infractions
- 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
- Food handler not wearing a hair restraint, Instructed to wear.
- 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
- Keeping spoons and knives at prep kitchen in standing water at room temperature. Instructed to keep utensils according to health code, ie.
- 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
- Deli cups not air dried after washing, Instructed to air dry all multi-use utensil after washing.
- 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
- No allergen training certificate for service manager, Instructed to obtain.
- 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
- License
0 infractions
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