Chicago
46
BEAT

Carb Free Cafe

222 W Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago, IL 60654 · River North · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
46/100

Passed most recently but 2 prior failures on record

Inspections
9
6 passed
Last Inspected
2019-11-13
Pass Rate
67%
2 failures
Score
46/100
BEAT
Passed most recent inspection (2019-11-13)
Failed 2 inspections (2019, 2018)
Sanitation issues found across 12 inspections
Documentation & Training issues found across 5 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation critical 12×
📌
Other serious
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
🌡
Food Temperature serious
🔧
Facility Condition minor
2019-11-13 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection
2
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

DAMAGED WALL NOTED NEXT TO FRONT PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DURABLE SMOOTH SURFACE.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

2019-11-06 Fail Canvass
4
serious Other

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

REFER TO VIOLATION #60 FOR DESCRIPTION.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

DAMAGED WALL NOTED NEXT TO FRONT PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DURABLE SMOOTH SURFACE.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR FOOD SERVICE MANAGER, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

minor Other

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2283004 DATED 4-11-19 FOR VIOLATION #15 (NO FOOD SHIELD AT HOT LINE FOOD DISPLAY SECTION TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS CONTAMINATION) INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT CORE VIOLATION WITHIN GIVEN TIME FRAME. PRIO...

2019-04-11 Pass Canvass
2
serious Other

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

NO FOOD SHIELD AT HOT LINE FOOD DISPLAY SECTION TO PREVENT CUSTOMERS CONTAMINATION, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MOP SINK INSTALLED NEXT TO 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD.

2018-08-07 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 7
critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-012(A), NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED CLEAN UP MATERIALS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER MOUNTED DIRECTLY ABOVE LARGE PREP SINK BEING ACTIVELY USED TO PREP VEGETABLES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST REMOVE HANDWASHING AIDS FROM THE PREP SINK.

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED EGG-BASED BREAKFAST ITEMS ON THE MENU, WHERE THE EGGS CAN BE COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR ALL MENU ITEMS THAT ARE SERVED COOKED TO ORDER, OR UNDERCOOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED...

minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED ICE ACCUMULATING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 3 DOOR REACH IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ANY CONDENSATION LEAKS AND REMOVE ICE BUILD UP.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAK AT FAUCET BASE AT REAR HAND SINK, WHERE WATER CONSTANTLY FLOWS DESPITE THE HANDLES BEING IN "OFF" POSITION. ALSO NOTED LEAK IN WASTE PIPING AT THE REAR HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKS.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THAT NONE OF THE POSTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE COMPLETED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED BY PA 100-0367. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, NO CITATION ISSUED.

2018-07-31 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 9
critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-012(A), NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES IN PLACE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED CLEAN UP MATERIALS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER MOUNTED DIRECTLY ABOVE LARGE PREP SINK BEING ACTIVELY USED TO PREP VEGETABLES AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST REMOVE HANDWASHING AIDS FROM THE PREP SINK.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD IN THE FRONT SALAD PREP TOP COOLER AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES: CHEESE, 50 DEGREES F; COOKED CORN, 47 DEGREES F; BEANS, 46 DEGREES F; CUT TOMATOES, 49 DEGREES F. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 15 LBS OF PRODUCT WORTH $40....

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED EGG-BASED BREAKFAST ITEMS ON THE MENU, WHERE THE EGGS CAN BE COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR ALL MENU ITEMS THAT ARE SERVED COOKED TO ORDER, OR UNDERCOOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED...

minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

4-301.11- OBSERVED FRONT SALAD PREP COOLER HOLDING IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 45 DEGREES F WHILE TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE. THE UNIT WAS TAGGED DURING INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED TO STORE TCS FOODS UNTIL THE CDPH HAS REMOVED THE TAG. PRIORITY ...

minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED ICE ACCUMULATING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 3 DOOR REACH IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ANY CONDENSATION LEAKS AND REMOVE ICE BUILD UP.

serious Employee Hygiene

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

OBSERVED NO WATER PROVIDED TO THE REAR PREP HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT AND COLD WATER TO THIS SINK FOR HANDWASHING. INSTRUCTED TO USE FRONT PREP HAND SINK UNTIL THE REAR SINK IS REPAIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION: 7-38-030(C), CITATION...

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THAT NONE OF THE POSTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE COMPLETED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED BY PA 100-0367. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, NO CITATION ISSUED.

2017-09-15 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Observed excessive dust and grease build up inside ventilation hood in rear prep area. Must clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.

minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

Observed hand sink in disrepair in rear prep area. Building management in process of removing hand sink. Instructed must repair and maintain all plumbing present. Must maintain same.

2016-12-15 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS. MUST CLEAN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING TILES ABOVE REAR PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

3-COMPARTMENT SINK COLD WATER HANDLE STRIPPED. MUST REPAIR COLD WATER HANDLE.

2016-03-25 Pass Canvass
3
minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

REAR PREP AREA CEILING LIGHT COVERS (X2) NOT TIGHT FITTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CEILING LIGHT COVERS MUST BE TIGHT FITTED.

minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS.

minor Documentation & Training

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH CERTIFICATES OF NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.

2015-10-22 Pass License
2
minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE PREP SINK AND THE DRAIN BOARD OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

SEAL ALL THE GAP AROUND THE PIPES AND CONDUIT TRHU-OUT THE PREP AREA.

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Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.