SEP 5
2025
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
DARK MATTER COFFEE.
YOUR CALL. 63/100
736-738 N WESTERN AVE · NEAR WEST SIDE, CHICAGO
Last inspected September 5, 2025 · passed
10 of 12 inspections passed, 2 failed. 5 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
12
10 passed · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
38
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
11 YEARS
since Jul 2014
INSPECTION HISTORY
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 272025FAILED6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 27
2025
FAILED
6 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
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)
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR SMALL REFRIGERATOR AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT SERVICE COUNTER.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (SQUEEZE BOTTLES,ETC)
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
MUST LABEL REPACKAGED DESSERTS ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.
DEC 162024PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
DEC 16
2024
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT ESPECIALLY UNDER THE PALLETS.
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 272023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
JUL 27
2023
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 252022PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
AUG 25
2022
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
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.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE REAR (ROASTING AREA) UNISEX STAFF TOLIET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE PRODUCTION/ROASTING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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 122022PASSED1 violationDETAILS
APR 12
2022
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 152020PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
JUN 15
2020
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
FOUND INTERIOR WHITE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
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.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FOUND BROKEN TOILET LID ON TOILET, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FOUND CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
FOUND BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB IN REAR DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT AND MAINTAIN.
AUG 62019PASSED1 violationDETAILS
AUG 6
2019
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 12019FAILED6 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 1
2019
FAILED
6 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
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 152016PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JUL 15
2016
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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 242015PASSED1 violationDETAILS
JUN 24
2015
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
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 32014PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
JUL 3
2014
PASSED
7 violationsDETAILS
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.
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.
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.
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.
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ROASTING FLOOR & PRODUCTION AREA,LIGHT SHIELDS IN LAB AREA.
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.
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.
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 →