KAFECITO.

Chicago Health Dept

3938 W 26TH ST · NORTH LAWNDALE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Jan 2026).

14 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Jan 2026.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JAN 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

JAN 28

2026

PASS 4 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED SOME BULK CONTAINERS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED UTENSIL HANDLES STORED INSIDE TOPPINGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE HANDLES ABOVE FOOD TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

Minor Other

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.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING.

FEB 5

2025

PASS 2 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Temperature

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 7

2024

PASS 4 violations

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF COOLING UNITS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

AUG 3

2023

PASS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

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.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO HAVE SPILLS AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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 3

2022

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 25

2020

PASS 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

FOUND INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED LOCATE OR INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT FRONT & REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED T CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 7

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTD TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN SANTIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE. INSTD TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE FOR SERVICE AND MAINTAINENCE.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.

JAN 11

2018

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

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)

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES THROUGHOUT BASEMENT LEADING TO HOT WATER TANK AREA.

JAN 4

2018

FAIL 11 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Sanitation

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)

Critical Food Temperature

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)

Critical Pest Activity

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)

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM INTERIOR PARTS OF ICE MACHINE,REACH IN COOLERS .

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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.

Minor Sanitation

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

MUST REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES,BOXES,TOOLS FROM REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED

MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION,ICE SCOOP IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.

OCT 6

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL REACH IN COOLERS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 14

2016

PASS 3 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED FOIL ON REAR CEILING, WALL AND STORAGE SHELF, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Sanitation

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 6

2015

PASS 1 violation

Minor Chemical Safety

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 29

2015

FAIL 4 violations

Serious Sanitation

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).

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

Minor Sanitation

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.

Minor Food Temperature

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 25

2014

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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