DARK MATTER COFFEE.

Chicago Health Dept

736-738 N WESTERN AVE · NEAR WEST SIDE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Sep 2025).

12 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Sep 2025 · 2 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
12
VIOLATIONS
38
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
SEP 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

SEP 5
2025
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.

AUG 27
2025
FAIL 6 violations 2 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN COFFEE PROCESSING/GRINDING & PACKAGING AREA MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER,SOAP & TOWELS(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)

Minor Food Temperature
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR SMALL REFRIGERATOR AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT SERVICE COUNTER.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (SQUEEZE BOTTLES,ETC)

Minor Chemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST LABEL REPACKAGED DESSERTS ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.

Critical Pest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.

DEC 16
2024
PASS 2 violations
Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT ESPECIALLY UNDER THE PALLETS.

Minor Documentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

JUL 27
2023
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DEBRIS ON SIDE OF ICE MACHINE AND BEHIND LOW-TEMP DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 25
2022
PASS 4 violations
Minor Food Temperature
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE FRONT MINI REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE REAR (ROASTING AREA) UNISEX STAFF TOLIET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE PRODUCTION/ROASTING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

show all 12 inspections →
APR 12
2022
PASS 1 violation
Minor Employee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE IN PREP AREA SCOOPING ICE, POURING MILK AND COFFEE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. ALL EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD ITEMS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT (HAT, HAIR NET, SCARF).

JUN 15
2020
PASS 5 violations
Serious Sanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

FOUND INTERIOR WHITE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND DRIED AND LOOSE COFFEE DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND BROKEN TOILET LID ON TOILET, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB IN REAR DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 6
2019
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CONCRETE WALLS IN BOTH PRODUCTION AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

AUG 1
2019
FAIL 6 violations 3 CRITICAL
Critical Documentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Sanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND CLEAN UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Food Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT THE HAND SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM (70.7 DEGREE F). INSTRUCTED THAT THE MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE HAND SINK SHOULD BE 100 DEGREE F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Sanitation
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GRIME AND DIRT ON THE INSIDE PLANK OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CONCRETE WALLS IN BOTH PRODUCTION AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

JUL 15
2016
PASS 3 violations
Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT CORNERS.

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

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENTS IN THE TOILETS ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL THE WALL UNDER THE WASH BOWL IN THE REAR TOILET ROOM. ALSO, PROVIDE COVING TO THE LOWER WALLS THROUGH OUT, SEALING ALL THE OPENIGS/GAPS. MAINTAIN SAME.

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

INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE THE CLUTTER IN BOTH BASEMENT AND ORGANIZE AREAS. MUST HANG ALL MOPS UP TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.

JUN 24
2015
PASS 1 violation
Minor Employee Hygiene
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

REPAIR THE LEAK AT THE DRAIN LINE BELOW THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO THE ROASTING AREA.

JUL 3
2014
PASS 7 violations
Minor Sanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF CART NEXT TO DISH MACHINE.MUST RECAULK HAND SINK IN FRONT TOILET ROOM.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE DOOR HANDLE ON VANITY IN FRONT TOILET ROOM.

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

MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER,TABLES,EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.

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

MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND BASEMENT.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES.

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

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE AND MISSING WALL BASES IN DISH WASHING AREA,ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA,THRESHOLD AT FRONT DOOR,WALLS AND CEILINGS NOT FINISHED IN PRODUCTION AREA AND ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA & LAB CLOSET.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT THROUGHOUT PREMISES.MUST CLEAN CEILING NEAR ICE MACHINE.

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

MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ROASTING FLOOR & PRODUCTION AREA,LIGHT SHIELDS IN LAB AREA.

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

MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN REAR TOILET ROOM.MUST REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION COVER IN PRODUCTION AREA.MUST CLEAN VENTILATION UNIT IN ROASTING FLOOR.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT HAND SINK NEAR ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA.

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

MUST ELEVATE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ARTICLES & EQUIPMENT OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.

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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