FEB 27
2025
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
CHEFS SARA'S CAFE.
EAT. 88/100
7201 S EXCHANGE AVE · SOUTH SHORE, CHICAGO
Last inspected February 27, 2025 · passed
12 of 15 inspections passed, with 5 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
15
12 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
52
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
13 YEARS
since Sep 2011
INSPECTION HISTORY
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED A LEAK FROM THE CEILING BY THE OFFICE DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK FROM CEILING.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
FEB 92024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
FEB 9
2024
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
FOOD HANLDERS NOT WEARING PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOODS.
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.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED SOME WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHERE NEEDED.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
OCT 132023PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
OCT 13
2023
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
WATER DAMAGE TO COUNTER AROUND HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT
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.
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 92022PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
JUN 9
2022
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE KITCHEN TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS IN POOR REPAIR(CRACKS). MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASLIY CLEANABLE.
DEC 82021PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
DEC 8
2021
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE CLUTTER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
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 262021PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
NOV 26
2021
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED CRUMBS AND FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVING UNITS IN MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAITAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE CLUTTER TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED MOP IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE MOP WITH HEAD UP TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
JUN 172020PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 17
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
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.
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.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED DEBRIS ON SHELVING UNITS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
MAY 222019PASS W/ CONDITIONS10 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 22
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
10 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
5-501.17 OBSERVED A CLOSED RECEPTACLE IS NEEDED INSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
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.
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 32018PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MAY 3
2018
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 92017PASSED1 violationDETAILS
JUN 9
2017
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 52016PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
MAY 5
2016
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
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.
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 302015PASSED1 violationDETAILS
SEP 30
2015
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 252013PASSED9 violationsDETAILS
JUN 25
2013
PASSED
9 violationsDETAILS
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS AND PREPARED SALADS. POST CONSUMER ADVISORY.
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
STORE CLEAN POTS AND PANS OFF FLOOR.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE. PAINT SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
CLEAN ALL SHELVES UNDER FRONT COUNTER.
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.
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.
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.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION. PROVIDE LONG HANDLE UTENSILS FOR DISPENSING CONDIMENTS, SUGAR, ETC.
SEP 192011FAILED2 violationsDETAILS
SEP 19
2011
FAILED
2 violationsDETAILS
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
FOUND LIGHT FIXTURES NOT SHIELDED AT FRONT PREPARATION AREAS.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
FOUND 2 COFFEE MACHINES WITH NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →