CHEFS SARA'S CAFE.

Chicago Health Dept

7201 S EXCHANGE AVE · SOUTH SHORE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Feb 2025).

15 inspections on record since 2011 · Last inspected Feb 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
15
VIOLATIONS
52
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
FEB 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

FEB 27
2025
PASS 2 violations
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.

FEB 9
2024
PASS 4 violations
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.

OCT 13
2023
PASS 3 violations
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.

JUN 9
2022
PASS 2 violations
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.

DEC 8
2021
PASS 4 violations
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.

show all 15 inspections →
NOV 26
2021
PASS 5 violations
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.

JUN 17
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 2 CRITICAL
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 CONTAINING THE DISCARD DATES FOR ALL TCS RTE FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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 CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

MAY 22
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 10 violations 3 CRITICAL
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 OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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 LABEL CONTAINING THE DISCARD DATES FOR ALL TCS RTE FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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 FOODS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

MAY 3
2018
PASS 1 violation
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.

JUN 9
2017
PASS 1 violation
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

MAY 5
2016
PASS 2 violations
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.

SEP 30
2015
PASS 1 violation
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

JUN 25
2013
PASS 9 violations
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.

SEP 20
2011
PASS · 0 violations
SEP 19
2011
FAIL 2 violations
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.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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