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THE COFFEE ALLEY

1152 W TAYLOR ST, CHICAGO, IL 60607 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THE COFFEE ALLEY has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 26, 2012. The most recent inspection, on August 14, 2020, found no infractions.

3 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: Food source, labelling and allergens, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 13, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 13, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 February 13, 2019. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 once on February 27, 2015. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 October 26, 2016. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

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. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 NO CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 8. HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLING MONEY AND FOOD WITHOUT WASHING HANDS PRIOR TO GLOVE USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER AND FOOD HANDLER TO WASH HANDS BEFORE GLOVE USE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • ALL READY TO EAT FOR PRODUCTS IN REACH IN COOLERS MUST BE PROPERLY DATED WITH DATE OF DISCARD. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL PREPACKAGED FOODS FOR SALE MUST HAVE ALL INGRIEDIENTS IDENTIFIED. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL ALLERGENS MUST BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED ON ALL PREPACKAGED ITEMS FOR SALE. MUST CORRECTLY AND COMPLETELY IDENTIFY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 46. GLOVES USED PROPERLY
      • GLOVES MUST BE DISCARDED AFTER EVERY USE. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 50. HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE
      • FOUND NO HOT WATER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. WATER AT HANDWASH SINKS IN WASHROOMS 68.0, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK 69.0, HANDSINK IN PREP AREA 67.8. ALL SINKS MUST BE FULLY FUNCTIONING WITH HOT WATER AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED PLUMBER ARRIVED ON SITE AND CORRECTED ISSUED. HOT WATER NOW AVAILABLE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASLIY CLEANABLE. NO BRICK WALLS ALLOWED IN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • LIGHTS IN PREP AREA MUST HAVE PROPER SHEILDS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • PA 100-0367 THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER DID NOT HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR IN STORAGE CLOSET OFF CUSTOMER SEATING AREA.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • PACKAGED DESSERTS FRONT DISPLAY AREA OFFERED FOR SALE NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LABELS,
  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH SLIGHT BUILD UP. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • ICE ACCUMULATION IN REACH IN FREEZER. REMOVE ICE.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOORS IN SMALL UNUSED STORAGE AREA(UNDERNEATH STAIRS) IN DINING ROOM AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • RE-APPLY SEALANT TO WALL IN FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN AND/OR PAINT INTERIOR OF REAR EXIT DOOR.
  9. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 20 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT UNDERNEATH ESTABLISHMENT. ALL AFFECTED AREA(S) MUST BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED. MUST SEAL ANY VISIBLE OPENINGS FOUND IN FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS, AND HAVE AREA(S) SERVICED BY A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • ALL DESSERTS PACKAGED AND PLACED ON DISPLAY FOR SALE MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR OF TOASTER OVEN, WHITE PLASTIC STORAGE RACKS ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND LOWER STORAGE SHELVES WHERE NEEDED IN FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOORS IN SMALL UNUSED STORAGE AREA(UNDERNEATH STAIRS) IN DINING ROOM AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • RE-APPLY SEALANT TO WALL IN FOOD PREP AREA. CLEAN AND/OR PAINT INTERIOR OF REAR EXIT DOOR.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE MISSING LIGHT BULB(S) IN FRONT SECTION OF BASEMENT, ENTIRE AREA MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING.
  10. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE VENT COVERS IN EACH WASHROOM AND ABOVE THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST REMOVE HEAVY DUST BUILD UP.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED FOUL ODORS AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN WATER DRAINED FROM SINK BASIN. MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND REMOVE ODORS.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
  11. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SEAL SMALL OPENING ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE EXTERIOR FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN SHELVES IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • SEAL LARGE OPENINGS IN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE CRAWL SPACE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET AT THE MOP SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • BETTER ORGANIZE ITEMS IN REAR SHARED HALLWAY LEADING TO THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS.
  12. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INSTRUCTED TO SEAL BRICK WALL IN FOOD PREP AREA TO AVOID PEELING FROM BRICKS.
  13. License

    1 infraction

    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST PROVIDE ICE RECPTACLE HOLDER FOR ICE SCOOPERS AT ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
  14. License

    0 infractions

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