Chicago
88
EAT

Chefs Sara'S Cafe

7201 S Exchange Ave, Chicago, IL 60649 · South Shore · Restaurant · High risk
EAT
88/100

Strong record across 15 inspections — minor issues only

Inspections
15
12 passed
Last Inspected
2025-02-27
Pass Rate
80%
1 failure
Score
88/100
EAT
14 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-02-27
Failed 1 inspection (2011)
Documentation & Training issues found across 5 inspections
Employee Hygiene issues found across 4 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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🧽
Sanitation minor 24×
📌
Other serious
🐀
Pest Activity minor
📋
Documentation & Training critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
🌡
Food Temperature serious
Chemical Safety minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
🔧
Facility Condition minor
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
2025-02-27 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED A LEAK FROM THE CEILING BY THE OFFICE DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK FROM CEILING.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

2024-02-09 Pass Canvass
4
minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

FOOD HANLDERS NOT WEARING PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOODS.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DUST ON THE VENTILATION FAN ON THE CEILING IN THE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS IN CORNER AREAS AND INSIDE OF THE FURNACE CLOSET IN CORNER AREAS.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED SOME WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHERE NEEDED.

minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

2023-10-13 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

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

WATER DAMAGE TO COUNTER AROUND HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

ALL STORAGE SHELVES IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT AND CLEAN SHELVES. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

WALLS IN REAR AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING BEHIND REACH IN COOLER TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

2022-06-09 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE KITCHEN TO REMOVE DEBRIS.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS IN POOR REPAIR(CRACKS). MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASLIY CLEANABLE.

2021-12-08 Pass Complaint
4
minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

OBSERVED UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS INSIDE STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE CLUTTER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CRUMBS AND FOOD DEBRIS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

2021-11-26 Pass Canvass
5
minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED CRUMBS AND FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVING UNITS IN MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAITAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE CLUTTER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MOP IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE MOP WITH HEAD UP TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING AND MAINTAIN.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

2020-06-17 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 6
critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY READY TO EAT FOODS (VEGETABLE MIX, SALMON BURGER) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE DISCARD DATES OF THE TCS RTE FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LABEL CO...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL FOODS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (EGGS). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL FOODS THAT CA...

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON SHELVING UNITS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

2019-05-22 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 10
critical Documentation & Training

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

2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

critical Employee Hygiene

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES (DISPOSABLE FACE MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP HEAD, DISPOSABLE LATEX GLOVES, ADEQUATE SANITIZER *MUST ELIMINATE NOROVIRUS*) ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY ...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS LOCATED AT THE FOOD PREP AREA AND TOILET ROOM HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

3-501.17 OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY READY TO EAT FOODS (VEGETABLE MIX, SALMON BURGER) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE DISCARD DATES OF THE TCS RTE FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL FOODS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (EGGS). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL FOOD...

minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

4-302.12 OBSERVED NO FOOD THERMOMETER ON SITE THAT MEASURES THE TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A FOOD THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

4-904.11 OBSERVED CLEAN PANS BEING STORED ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

5-501.17 OBSERVED A CLOSED RECEPTACLE IS NEEDED INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13 OBSERVED THREE FOOD HANDLERS (2 FEMALE, I MALE) WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

2018-05-03 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS ALONG WALL AND IN CORNER AREAS.

2017-06-09 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MUST CLEAN FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA,ALONG WALL BASE AND CORNERS

2016-05-05 Pass Canvass
2
minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE PREP AREA ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE DEBRIS.

minor Sanitation

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

NOTED MISSING CEILING TILES IN THE TOILET ROOM. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

2015-09-30 Pass Canvass
1
minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN FLOORS IN THE PREP AREA,ALONG WALL BASE AND CORNERS

2013-06-25 Pass Canvass
9
minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS AND PREPARED SALADS. POST CONSUMER ADVISORY.

minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

STORE CLEAN POTS AND PANS OFF FLOOR.

minor Sanitation

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

PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. PAINT SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.

minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN ALL SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.

minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG WALLS NEAR WATER HEATER. ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR.

minor Sanitation

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

CLEAN ALL WALL VENTS(DUST BUILDUP). SEAL ALL OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS AROUND PIPE FITTINGS IN DINING, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. SEAL OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS UNDER 3-COMP SINK AND IN SOUTHWEST CORNER IN FURNACE ROOM.

minor Food Storage & Handling

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS

REMOVE SHOES BEHIND FRONT COUNTER AND PROVIDE SEPARATE AREA FOR EMPLOYEE BELONGINGS.

minor Pest Activity

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION. PROVIDE LONG HANDLE UTENSILS FOR DISPENSING CONDIMENTS, SUGAR, ETC.

2011-09-20 Pass License Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2011-09-19 Fail License
2
minor Facility Condition

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

FOUND LIGHT FIXTURES NOT SHIELDED AT FRONT PREPARATION AREAS.

minor Plumbing & Waste

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

FOUND 2 COFFEE MACHINES WITH NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES.

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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.