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WHISPER'S COFFEE

520 N MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60611 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

WHISPER'S COFFEE has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 7, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 24, 2014, found no infractions.

1 of 3 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 on April 7, 2010. For example: HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

  • 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 7, 2010. For example: SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

  • 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 April 7, 2010. 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 8 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2011. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 18, 2011. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO ONE ON PREMISES WITH A CURRENT CITY CERTIFICATE. MUST HAVE A CITY CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER AT ALL TIMES P.H.F. ARE HANDLED, PREPARED , SERVED. (GELATO, MILK, CAKES, PASRIES). A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served.
    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • MUST POST LATEST SUMMARY REPORT VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. (LAST CANVASS VISIT ON APRIL 2010). One copy of the Food Inspection Report Summary must be displayed and visible to all customers.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD TO THE RIGHT OF FRONT HANDSINK. MUST SEAL/CAULK AROUND BASES OF SINKS AT FRONT PREP AREA TO PREVENT WATER SEEPAGE ON TO BOTTOM CABINET. All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • DRAINS OF 3-COMP SINK MUST BE KEPT CLEAN. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST FIX LEAK UNDER FRONT HANDSINK & WATER SEEPING AROUND DUMP SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.
  3. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE SERVICE 3 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT WASHING HANDS. EMPLOYEE FILLED ORDERS AND HANDLED MONEY. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYYE TO WASH HANDS IN BETWEEN EACH CUSTOMER. CRITICAL VIOLATION, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • Equipment and utensils should get proper exposure to the sanitizing solution during the rinse cycle. Bactericidal treatment shall consist of exposure of all dish and utensil surfaces to a rinse of clean water at a temperature of not less than 180F. DISH MACHINE SANITIZING RINSE WAS AT 170 DEGREES. MUST BE AT 180 DEGREES. MACHINE IN BEING TAGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. MUST USE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WAS RINSE AND SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS. MUST FOLLOW ALL MANUFACTURE INSTRUCTION FOR WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. HOME (CASCADE SOAP) NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SHORT WASH AND RINSE CYCLE. CRITICAL VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED.
    • 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
      • Adequate and convenient hand washing facilities shall be provided for all employees. 2 HANDSINKS ON SITE. REAR PREP, AND FRONT PREP. BOTH WOITHOUT PAPER TOWELS, AND FRONT SOAP. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATED ON SITE OR POSTED AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST HAVE PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OR CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS. (MILK, SALADS, CUT FRUIT ETC...) SERIOUS VIOLATION, CITATION ISSUED
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. The licensee shall inform the public in writing of the Chicago Department of Public Health?s Consumer Advisory relating to consuming raw and undercooked animal products. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL PREPACKAGED ITEMS FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFORMATION. NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER ETC..
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. MUST WASH ALL UTENSILS IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITZE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. FLOORS IN REAR PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD-UP. CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Use dustless cleaning methods. LIGHTS ABOVE FRONT COUNTER IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD-UP.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. FRONT HANDSINK IN NEED OF SPLASH GUARD. MUST INSTALL TO PROTECT ALL DRINK CUPS AND LIDS FROM SPLATTER. OASIS MACHINE MUST DRAIN LINES MUST DRAIN OPEN DRAIN SITE, NOT IN SINK. MUST CORRECT.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. Cleaning equipment shall be properly stored away from food, utensils, equipment, and clean linens. REAR PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING AND ORGANIZING.

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