LE CAFE.
4655 N LINCOLN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Failed 5 of 14 inspections. 3 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
JUL 312017PASSED6 violationsDETAILS
FOODS INSIDE COOLERS NOT LABELED OR DATED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND DATE ALL FOODS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE/INVERT UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELD ON LIGHT FIXTURE NEAR THE EXPOSED HANDSINK AT BASEMENT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD ON LIGHT FIXTURE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SMALL WATER LEAK AT THE DRAIN PIPE BENEATH THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE FRONT DESSERT DISPLAY COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.
FOOD HANDLER(S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
JUL 242017FAILED7 violationsDETAILS
FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MACHINE--ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO TURN OFF MACHINE,REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
FOODS INSIDE COOLERS NOT LABELED OR DATED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND DATE ALL FOODS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE/INVERT UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELD ON LIGHT FIXTURE NEAR THE EXPOSED HANDSINK AT BASEMENT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD ON LIGHT FIXTURE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SMALL WATER LEAK AT THE DRAIN PIPE BENEATH THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE FRONT DESSERT DISPLAY COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE THERMOMETER FOR COOLER.
FOOD HANDLER(S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
JUL 262016PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
Observed no consumer advisory posted on site, facility prepares eggs, beef, chicken. Instructed facility to post and maintain.
Observed torn gaskets on the 1 door prep cooler and the three door prep cooler on the first floor. Instructed facility to replace and maintain.
Observed the wall behind the handsink and three door cooler on the first floor to have peeling paint and be in poor repair. Instructed facility to repair and maintain so wall is smooth and easily cleanable.
JUL 192016FAILED7 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
Observed no soap at the exposed handsink in the basement prep area. Facility installed during inspection. Instructed facility to maintain soap and paper towels at all times at all exposed handsinks. Critical citation issued 7-38-030.
Observed a black, mold-like substance on the interior portion of the ice machine. Instructed facility to dispose of all ice, clean, sanitize, and maintain machine. Serious citation issued 7-38-005(a).
Observed no inspection report summary, from inspection # 1561742, dated 7-31-15, displayed or visible to all customers. Instructed facility that the most recent inspection report summary must be displayed and visible to all customers at all times. Provided a new inspection report summary from this inspection and posted. Serious citation issued 7-42-010(b).
Observed no consumer advisory posted on site, facility prepares eggs, beef, chicken. Instructed facility to post and maintain.
Observed torn gaskets on the 1 door prep cooler and the three door prep cooler on the first floor. Instructed facility to replace and maintain.
Observed the wall behind the handsink and three door cooler on the first floor to have peeling paint and be in poor repair. Instructed facility to repair and maintain so wall is smooth and easily cleanable.
Observed foodhandlers at the front counter not wearing proper hair restraints. Instructed facility to ensure all foodhandlers wear proper hair restraints and to maintain.
JUL 312015PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violationsDETAILS
NO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE, POSTED OR AVAILABLE, WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE COOKED AND SERVED, AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL IN A CLASS WITH PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OR ACTUAL CERTIFICATE MUST BE AVAILABLE, AND A CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE COOKED, SERVED AND PREPARED, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-012
TOPS AND SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, AND INTERIOR OF COOKING FRYER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
FLOOR FIRST FLOOR PREP AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FREQUENTLY.
WALL BY FIRST FLOOR TWO COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
LIGHT SHIELD MISSING ON LIGHT BASEMENT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE,
NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING IN ILLINOIS CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MUST PROVIDE,
show all 14 inspections →
JUL 242015PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violationsDETAILS
NO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE, POSTED OR AVAILABLE, WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE COOKED AND SERVED, AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL IN A CLASS WITH PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OR ACTUAL CERTIFICATE MUST BE AVAILABLE, AND A CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE COOKED, SERVED AND PREPARED, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-012
TOPS AND SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, AND INTERIOR OF COOKING FRYER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
FLOOR FIRST FLOOR PREP AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FREQUENTLY.
WALL BY FIRST FLOOR TWO COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
LIGHT SHIELD MISSING ON LIGHT BASEMENT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE,
NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING IN ILLINOIS CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MUST PROVIDE,
JUL 162015FAILED8 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED 10 RODENT DROPPING REAR COMMON STORAGE AREA, AREA CLUTTERED CAUSING A RODENT HARBORAGE, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN, MUST STORED ALL ARTICLES 6 INCHES AWAY FROM WAY AND 6 INCHES OFF OF FLOOR SURFACES, CLEAN AND BETTER ORGANIZE ALL AREAS, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-020
TWO COMPARTMENT SINK WITH SPAY DEVICE FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA, IN POOR REPAIR, NOT MAINTAINED OR PROPERLY WORKING, WHILE RUNNING AND DRAINING WATER AT TWO COMPARTMENT SINK, WATER FROM AIR GAP OVERFLOWING FROM DRAIN ON TO FLOOR, INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DRAIN LINE AND GREASE TRAP TO PREVENT INADEQUATE DISPOSAL OF DRAIN WATER. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030.
TOPS AND SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, AND INTERIOR OF COOKING FRYER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
FLOOR FIRST FLOOR PREP AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FREQUENTLY.
WALL BY FIRST FLOOR TWO COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
LIGHT SHIELD MISSING ON LIGHT BASEMENT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE,
CLUTTER IN BASEMENT AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN,
NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING IN ILLINOIS CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, MUST PROVIDE,
DEC 92014PASSED1 violationDETAILS
EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
DEC 22014FAILED7 violationsDETAILS
FOODS NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE DISPLAY AND SERVICE. OBSERVED TWO TRAYS OF BAKED GOODS SITTING ON TOP OF DISPLAY COOLER NEXT TO CASHIER THATS NOT COVERED OR PROTECTED FROM CUSTOMER CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOODS MUST BE COVERED WHILE ON DISPLAY. ALSO, INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEANED OR MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED OF ICE MACHINE WHERE ICE IS BEING MADE HAS BLACK SUBSTANCE AROUND PARTS WHERE FRESH ICE IS BEING MADE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. "HELD FOR INSPECTION" TAG PLACED ON ICE MACHINE.SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A).
DISH WASHING FACILITIES NOT MAINTAINED OR OPERATED. WHILE RUNNING AND DRAINING WATER AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, WATER FROM AIR GAP OVERFLOWING FROM DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DRAINLINE AND GREASE TRAP TO PREVENT INADEQUATE DISPOSAL OF DRAIN WATER. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030.
FOODS INSIDE COOLERS NOT LABELED OR DATED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND DATE ALL FOODS NOT IN ORIGINA CONTAINERS.
MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTMAINATION BEFORE USE.
EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS, SLICER IN BASEMENT, AND PREP COUNTER/CUTTING BOARD NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
FLOOR IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FREQUENTLY.
THERMOMETER NOT CONSPICUOUS INISDE COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL THERMOMETERS CONSPICUOUSLY INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
MAR 72014PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
Multi use utensils not properly stored. Instructed to invert utensils to prevent contamination before use.
Floor in corners and behind equipment not cleaned. instructed to detail clean daily and remove food debris.
Thermometer not provided inside coolers in 1st fl prep area. Instructed to provided thermometer conspicuously inside coolers.
APR 152013PASSED6 violationsDETAILS
PREP FOODS INSIDE STORAGE COOLERS AND DRIED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO DATE/LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED, INSTRUCTED TO INVERT/PROPERLY STORED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
NOTED FOOD DEBRIS ON EQUIPMENT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE; COOLERS, SLICER, BOTTOM PANELS OF PREP TABLES IN BASEMENT, EXTERIOR OF DISH MACHINE AND MOP SINK.
FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS, MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS THRU-OUT PREP AREAS AND STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT.
NOTED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT, INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
CLEANING TOWELS IMPROPERLY STORED, INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE IN AN APPROVED SANITIZER.
JAN 72013PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MUST PROVIDE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
DEC 282012FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE NOT SANITIZING AT THIS TIME, 0 PPM CHOLORINE. DISHMACHINE NOT USED AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER DISHMACHINE MUST BE SANITIZING AT 100 PPM CHLORINE, MUST WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK UNTIL DISHMACHINE IS SANITIZING. DISHMACHINE TAGGED BY CDPH AT THIS TIME. NO CITATION ISSUED.
COFFEE PREP HANDWASH BOWL COMPLETELY CLOGGED, ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WASH HANDS AT ADJACENT PREP AREA HANDWASH BOWL LOCATED 10 FT AWAY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR SINK BY DATE OF REINSPECTION (01/04/13).
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVES AT PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
MUST CLEAN BASEMENT FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT AND ALONG WALLS/CORNERS.
MUST PROVIDE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
MUST PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
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 →