SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

HARDING CAFE.

EAT. 87/100

4347 N HARDING AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Last inspected September 22, 2025 · passed

Passed all 6 inspections, but 8 critical violations on file.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
4 passed · 2 w/ conditions
VIOLATIONS
29
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Jul 2021

INSPECTION HISTORY

SEP 22
2025
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOOR FRAME OF THE EXTERIOR DOOR (NEAR GARAGE DOORS) IN THE REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR TO ELIMINATE GAP AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM ENTRY OF INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS.

MINORFood Temperature
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED LARGE TRAYS OF COOKED TOMATOES COOLING ON OPEN, UNCOVERED TRAYS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE COVER OF FOOD ITEMS OR STORE IN AN AREA SUCH THAT IT IS NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH, DUST, OR OTHER CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED IN-USE KNIFE STORED IN CARDBOARD WEDGED BETWEEN COOLER LIDS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN IN-USE UTENSILS ON AN EASILY-CLEANABLE, SANITIZED SURFACE IN BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN.

NOV 15
2024
PASSED
0 violations
SEP 13
2023
PASSED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM LEFT OF THE GARAGE DOOR IN REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF DOOR (LEADS TO ANOTHER BUSINESS) IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH WHITE MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN THE KITCHEN.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

EMPLOYEE BASEMENT WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ITEMS TO PREVENT PES HARBORAGE. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

AUG 22
2022
PASSED
3 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD IN FRONT BAR HAND SINK NEXT TO DRAINBOARD OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN LOCATION OUTSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

JUL 26
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
9 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALSanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT WASHBOWL IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER BEING USED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO PROPERTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER FROM GARAGE AND STORE INSIDE FACILITY.

MINOROther
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS AVAILABLE FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT, ICE MACHINE AT BAR, AND UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT RULES, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM AND IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATOR IN GARAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

show all 6 inspections →
JUL 22
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
10 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALSanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT WASHBOWL IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORFood Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED EMPTY 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN PREP AREA MAINTAINING IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 46.0F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER BEING USED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO PROPERTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER FROM GARAGE AND STORE INSIDE FACILITY.

MINOROther
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS AVAILABLE FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT, ICE MACHINE AT BAR, AND UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT RULES, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM AND IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATOR IN GARAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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 →

NEARBY IN NORTH CENTER