JAN 28
2026
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
KAFECITO.
EAT. 84/100
3938 W 26TH ST · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO
Last inspected January 28, 2026 · passed
10 of 14 inspections passed, with 8 critical violations on file.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
14
10 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
52
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
11 YEARS
since Apr 2014
INSPECTION HISTORY
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
OBSERVED SOME BULK CONTAINERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
OBSERVED UTENSIL HANDLES STORED INSIDE TOPPINGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE HANDLES ABOVE FOOD TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE PLATES AND TRAYS NOT INVERTED PN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING.
FEB 52025PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
FEB 5
2025
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DRIED FOOD DERBIS UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN FRONT PREP AREA SURROUNDING PREP TABLES STORING COOKING EQUIPMENT AND ACROSS FROM COOLING UNITS STORING ICECREAM WHERE MISCELLANEUS ITEMS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
JUN 72024PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
JUN 7
2024
PASSED
4 violationsDETAILS
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF COOLING UNITS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED FOILED USED AS SHELF LINERS IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.
AUG 32023PASSED3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
AUG 3
2023
PASSED
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES IN BROWN THREE DOOR WOODEN CABINET IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
OBSERVED EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO HAVE SPILLS AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED WALL BEHIND ICE MACHINE TO HAVE PEELING PAINT AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 32022PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OCT 3
2022
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED PAINT PEELING ON WALL IN BETWEEN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY UNDER EQUIPMENT, TABLES, SHELVING, AND IN CORNERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
show all 14 inspections →
SEP 252020PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 25
2020
PASSED
5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
FOUND INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED LOCATE OR INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
FOUND RUST ACCUMULATION ON TOP OF THE GREASE TRAP UNDER THE 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST SO SURFACE IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FOUND LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS UNDER 3-COMP SINK, AND ON FLOOR IN FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FOUND EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT FRONT & REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED T CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
MAR 72019PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MAR 7
2019
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTD TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANTIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTD TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE FOR SERVICE AND MAINTAINENCE.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.
JAN 112018PASS W/ CONDITIONS3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
JAN 11
2018
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
3 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2129942 1/4/18 NOT CORRECTED #18-STILL FINDING AN APPX."1-2" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF DOUBLE REAR DOOR.MUST RODENT PROOF DOORS TO BE TIGHT FITTING.MANAGER SENT EMPLOYEE TO THE STORE TO PURCHASE DOOR SWEEP DURING INSPECTION.SWEEP IS BEING PUT ON AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.(CRITICAL 7-42-090)
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR IN BASEMENT AND STANDING WATER NEAR HOT WATER TANK.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES THROUGHOUT BASEMENT LEADING TO HOT WATER TANK AREA.
JAN 42018FAILED11 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
JAN 4
2018
FAILED
11 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLER.OBSERVED MALE EMPLOYEE TAKE A BAG OF GARBAGE OUTSIDE OF BACK DOOR,CAME BACK IN TOOK OFF COAT AND ARRANGED SOME ARTICLES IN A CRATE UNDER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND THEN PICKED UP A KNIFE AND SEVERAL ORANGES AND SLICED THEM AND PUT THEM IN JUICE PRESS WITHOUT WASHING HANDS AND THEN AGAIN THE SAME MALE EMPLOYEE WENT TO TOILET ROOM AND CAME OUT AND THEN HANDLED A LARGE PLASTIC BOWL AND RINSED IT OUT UNDER RUNNING WATER AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT WASHING HANDS AND THEN RINSED HANDS OFF UNDER RUNNING WATER AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(CRITICAL 7-38-010A)
SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
OBSERVED MULTIUSE UTENSILS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK NOT BEING PROPERLY WASHED.OBSERVED MALE EMPLOYEE RINSED THE JUICE PRESSER PARTS UNDER RUNNING WATER AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND THEN PLACED BACK INTO PLACE ON JUICER WITHOUT WASHING,RINSE AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON PROPERLY SETTING UP SINK AND SANITIZING MULTIUSE UTENSILS.(CRITICAL 7-38-030)
NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
OBSERVED AN APPX."1-2" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF DOUBLE REAR DOOR AND REAR EXIT DOOR TO THE RESTAURANT.MUST RODENT PROOF DOORS TO BE TIGHT FITTING.(SERIOUS 7-38-020)
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.MUST LABEL REPACKAGED CONTAINERS OF COOKIES AND DESSERTS FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
MUST REMOVE FOIL FROM SHELF NEXT TO FRONT PREP AREA HAND SINK.MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE,REACH IN COOLERS .
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES IN BOTH PREP AREAS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN DINING AREA.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
MUST SEAL LOWER WALL AND BASE NEAR REAR DOOR,OPENING IN UPPER WALL OVER REAR DOOR.
TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
Inspector Comments: BATHROOM DOOR IS IN NEED OF SELF CLOSING DEVICE. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
MUST REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES,BOXES,TOOLS FROM REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION,ICE SCOOP IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
OCT 62017PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OCT 6
2017
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
BATHROOM DOOR IS IN NEED OF SELF CLOSING DEVICE. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL REACH IN COOLERS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
OCT 142016PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
OCT 14
2016
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED FOIL ON REAR CEILING, WALL AND STORAGE SHELF, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
OBSERVED THE CONDIMENT 2 DOOR COOLER CUTTING BOARD, SYRUP PUMPS, NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
OBSERVED CEILING VENT DUSTY OVER THE JET SPRAY MACHINES, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
OCT 62015PASSED1 violationDETAILS
OCT 6
2015
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
OBSERVED DESSERT FOR SALE (CHEESE CAKE, COOKIES) IN THE FRONT DISPLAY FREEZER AND COOLER WITHOUT PROPER LABELS CONTAINING BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS, AND INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS AND MAINTAIN.
SEP 292015FAILED4 violationsDETAILS
SEP 29
2015
FAILED
4 violationsDETAILS
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
OBSERVED BLACK AND PINK MOLD INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
OBSERVED DESSERT FOR SALE (CHEESE CAKE, COOKIES) IN THE FRONT DISPLAY FREEZER AND COOLER WITHOUT PROPER LABELS CONTAINING BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS, AND INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS AND MAINTAIN.
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
OBSERVED SPOONS AT THE ICE CREAM COUNTER NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN.
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
OBSERVED THERMOMETERS IN THE FRONT PREP COOLER NOT FUNCTIONING TO GIVE ACCURATE TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPER FUNCTIONING THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.
APR 252014PASSED1 violationDETAILS
APR 25
2014
PASSED
1 violationDETAILS
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR.
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 →