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TOP CAFE CUSINE

4393 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TOP CAFE CUSINE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 5, 2023. The most recent inspection, on February 20, 2024, found no infractions.

2 of 4 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 2 times on February 14, 2023. 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 February 14, 2023. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 14, 2023. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 3, 2023. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 3, 2023. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 OBSERVED SEVERAL UNUSED COOLERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT FROM THE PREMISES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-202.11 NO LIGHT SHIELD PROVIDED FOR THE LIGHT FIXTURE INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED BY THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
  3. License

    8 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY WAS PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A FINAL RINSE ABOVE 180F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • THE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT IS TURNED OFF AT THIS TIME. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C).
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR PROVIDED FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SEVERAL UNUSED COOLERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND IN FRONT OF THE SERVICE STATION EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT FROM THE PREMISES.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED BY THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
  4. License

    0 infractions

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