APR 9
2026
PASSED
0 violationsSANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
EXPLORER CAFE.
EAT. 84/100
1400 S JEAN BAPTISTE POINTE DUSABLE LAKESHORE DRIVE · SOUTH LOOP, CHICAGO
Last inspected April 9, 2026 · passed
4 of 6 inspections passed, with 3 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
6
4 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
17
includes 3 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Jun 2022
INSPECTION HISTORY
OCT 82025PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violationsDETAILS
OCT 8
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violationsDETAILS
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
OBSERVED THE GREASE TRAP LEAKING WHEN THE 3 COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PLUMMER ARRIVED ON SITE WHILE WRITING REPORT TO CORRECT ISSUE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
APR 162024PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
APR 16
2024
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Bulk food ( flour, sugar ) not labeled, instructed to label and maintain.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inadequate lighting in walk-in freezer, instructed to provide.
MAY 162023FAILED9 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MAY 16
2023
FAILED
9 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
5-202.12(E) OBSERVED THREE HAND WASHING SINKS AT AN INADEQUATE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 120F-130F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN HOT WATER AT 100F AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. ENGINEER WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE ON TWO OF THE THREE HAND WASHING SINKS AND BY THE END OF THE INSPECTION HOT WATER WAS MAINTAINING 100F AT TWO OF THE THREE HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
3-601.11 OBSERVED NO LABELS ON THE PREPACKAGED DESSERTS FOR SALE AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABEL WITH BUSINESS NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS AND IF ANY ALLERGENS ARE PRESENT.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE, OBSERVED ABOUT 20 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED IN BETWEEN THE ICE MACHINE AND THE WALL AND ALSO AROUND THE HOT WATER HEATER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY ON SITE, OBSERVED ABOUT 25 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALL BY THE UTILITY SINK AND ABOUT 15 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALL BY THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
4-601.11(C) OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE DEBRIS IN BETWEEN THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND A BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE WALL AROUND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
5-205.15(A) OBSERVED THE HAND WASHING SINK NOT ABLE TO TURN ON LOCATED IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT SAID HAND WASHING SINK AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
5-501.15 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS ON THE LID OF THE OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(B).
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.12 OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE DEBRIS ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP AND ON THE FLOOR AND WALL LOCATED AROUND THE GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
6-303.11 OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTING IN THE DISH WASHING AREA IN THE REAR BY THE HOT WATER HEATER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
8-304.11(A) OBSERVED THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY NOT POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW. INSTRUCTED A MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY MUST BE POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-010(B).
show all 6 inspections →
JUN 72022PASSED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 7
2022
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN PREP COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE THE GREASE TRAPS UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING MACHINE AND 3 COMP SINK SERVICE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST CLEAN THE CEILING TILES AND VENT COVERS WHERE NEEDED IN THE PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS TO REMOVE DUST.
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 →