Chicago
51
YOUR CALL

First Sip Cafe

1057 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640 · Uptown · Restaurant · Medium risk
YOUR CALL
51/100

Mostly clean — 2 of 6 passed, one prior failure

Inspections
6
2 passed
Last Inspected
2025-11-19
Pass Rate
33%
1 failure
Score
51/100
YOUR CALL
5 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-11-19
Failed 1 inspection (2017)
Documentation & Training issues found across 4 inspections
Other issues found across 3 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
Advertisement · 300×250
🧽
Sanitation serious 11×
📋
Documentation & Training critical
📌
Other critical
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
🐀
Pest Activity critical
🌡
Food Temperature critical
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical
2025-11-19 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (COFFEE DRINKS THAT CONTAIN MILKS, HEAVY CREAMS, ETC. AND EMPANADAS.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE...

minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

MUST PROVIDE A VISIBLE AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER ON THE INSIDE OF CAFE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND IN THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF BASIC FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

2023-08-29 Pass Canvass
3
minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF THE DRY STORAGE SHELVING UNIT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR TILES AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED COFFEE DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM NOT FUNCTIONING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.

2020-11-02 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 6
critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND KIT AVAILABLE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

minor Sanitation

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

NOTED ICE SCOOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED. ICE SCOOP HOLDERS STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE AT THE REAR WITH NO ICE SCOOP HOLDERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDERS.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

NOTED HEAVY COFFEE DUST PARTICLES ON THE COFFEE MACHINE AT THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA ON SHELVES, FLOORS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

2019-11-08 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 5
critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND KIT AVAILABLE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON LARGE CUTTING BOARD IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITZIING BUCKET WHEN NOT IN USE.

minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER IN FRONT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.

2017-11-16 Pass License Re-Inspection
2
minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR DISH/PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

minor Plumbing & Waste

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

MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT WITH WATER SOURCE.

2017-11-09 Fail License
CRITICAL 6
critical Food Temperature

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER ON PREMISES FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

BOTH MECHANICAL BLOWER HAND DRYING DEVICES IN THE CUSTOMER MENS AND WOMANS WASHROOMS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST REPAIR OR PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

REAR EXIT DOOR TO ALLEY FOUND NOT RODENT PROOFED. OPEN 1/2 INCH GAP ON BOTTOM SEAL OF THE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

serious Sanitation

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

MUST PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR SANITIZER TO BE USED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR DISH/PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

minor Food Temperature

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD TEMPERATURE CHECKING.

100
Fat Cat
100
Masala Indian and Mediterranean Corp
72
Jimmy Johns
59
Pho Citi & Sandwich
18
Grace African Restaurant

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health · Score calculated from inspection outcomes, violation severity & recency. · How we score
View official record on city data portal →
Eat or Beat scores are independent editorial analysis of public records and do not represent official government ratings.