Chicago
44
BEAT

Little Branch Cafe

1251 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 · South Loop · Restaurant · High risk
BEAT
44/100

Passed most recently but 2 prior failures on record

Inspections
10
4 passed
Last Inspected
2025-09-17
Pass Rate
40%
2 failures
Score
44/100
BEAT
5 consecutive passes, most recently 2025-09-17
Failed 2 inspections (2021, 2021)
Sanitation issues found across 16 inspections
Employee Hygiene issues found across 11 inspections
Issues were corrected on re-inspection
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Sanitation critical 16×
🧼
Employee Hygiene critical 11×
📋
Documentation & Training critical
📌
Other critical
🌡
Food Temperature serious
🚰
Plumbing & Waste minor
📦
Food Storage & Handling minor
Chemical Safety minor
🔧
Facility Condition minor
2025-09-17 Pass Canvass
2
minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

2024-06-28 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 10
critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OWNER/MANAGER NOT PROPERLY WASHING HER HANDS IN THE REQUIRED DESIGNATED HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED NOT TO WASH HANDS IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROPERLY WASH HANDS WITH SOAP IN THE HAND WASHING SINK ONLY. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-01...

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

REAR HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE. DISH WASHING LIQUID AND UTENSILS STORED INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE ALL HAND WASHING SINKS ACCESSIBLE AND PROPERLY STOCKED. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(c) VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NO HANDWASHING SIGN POSTED AT THE DESIGNATED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

MULTI USE KNIVES NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE KNIVES IN A KNIFE RACK WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INTERIOR LOWER SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS AND STORAGE RACKS IN REAR PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

WALLS BEHIND THE COOLERS/COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD/GREASE AND DIRT. FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.

minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

VENTILATION PANELS IN REAR PREP WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CURRENT CERTIFICATES.

minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

CFM WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CFMs OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

2023-06-13 Pass Canvass
CRITICAL 5
critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14 OBSERVED A HAND WASHING SIGN IS NEEDED AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A MINOR SLIGHT BROWNISH SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER WHERE THE WATER FLOWS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

minor Food Temperature

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

3-501.13 OBSERVED RAW BEEF THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION SAID PRODUCT WAS AT 34F. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW ALL TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER (NOT EXCEEDING 70F) OR IN A REFRIGERATION UNI...

minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

2-402.11 OBSERVED THE FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA PREPPING COFFEE AND SERVING ICE CREAM WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS HAIR NETS OR BASEBALL CAPS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

4-502.13 OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A SHELF LINER IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA AND ON THE UNUSED FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND ENSURE ALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

2022-07-15 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 3
critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED

OBSERVED MANAGER WASH HANDS WITH GLOVES ON. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE GLOVES IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH HANDS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED DISH MACHINE NOT DISPENSING SANITIZER.CHLORINE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION MEASURED AT 0PPM AT DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR DISH MACHINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.

2021-10-18 Pass Canvass Re-Inspection

No violations found.

2021-10-13 Fail Canvass Re-Inspection
CRITICAL 7
critical Documentation & Training

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

2-102.14(O) OBSERVED MANAGER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

2-501.11 OBSERVED MANAGER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SIGNS ARE NEEDED AT THE FOOD PREP AREA HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

minor Food Storage & Handling

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

4-502.13 OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS (BUTTER CONTAINERS) BEING USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO NOT RE-USE SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING REUSED AS A SHELF LINER FOR A PREP TABLE. I...

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

minor Other

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

8-404.13(B:3) OBSERVED PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2534401 DATED 10/06/21; 25-3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE (WITH FOOTNOTE) ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERE...

2021-10-06 Fail Canvass
CRITICAL 7
critical Documentation & Training

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

2-102.14(O) OBSERVED MANAGER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

2-501.11 OBSERVED MANAGER UNABLE TO LOCATE THE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

6-301.14 OBSERVED HANDWASHING SIGNS ARE NEEDED AT THE FOOD PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE (WITH FOOTNOTE) ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (EGGS, BEEF). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE (WITH FOOTNOTE) FOR ALL ITEMS TH...

minor Food Storage & Handling

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

4-502.13 OBSERVED SINGLE-SERVICE CONTAINERS (BUTTER CONTAINERS) BEING USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED NOT TO REUSE SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING REUSED AS A SHELF LINER FOR A PREP TABLE. IN...

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.

minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

2019-09-12 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
5
serious Food Temperature

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN USE SANITIZING SOLUTION AT 0 PPM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN A CHLORINE BASED SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN 25 PPM - 100 PPM. LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE TAGGED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE DISH MAC...

serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (BEEF, CHICKEN, CHEESE, TOMATOES, EGGS, VARIETY OF COOKED VEGETABLES) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES (TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 60F - 58F)LOCATED IN REACH IN COOLER ACROSS FROM GRIDDLE AT TIME...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED BURGERS ON MENU. SAID ITEM CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER FOR MENU ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDER COOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR CAPPUCCINO AND COFFEE BREWER. A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED, SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. -

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.

2018-08-21 Pass w/ Conditions Canvass
CRITICAL 10
critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINKS LOCATED IN BOTH FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHEESE) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT PROPER LABELS CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD...

serious Other

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A REMINDER AND A DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A REMINDER AND A DISCLOSURE TO THE MENU AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

minor Facility Condition

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF THE REACH IN COOLERS, 2 DOOR PREP COOLER AND REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE VENTS WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS LOCATED ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT VISIBLE ON THE ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPECIFICATIONS FOR ESPRESSO MACHINE OR MAKE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE VISIBLE AND MAINTAIN.

minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES FOR ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.

minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN.

2017-09-21 Pass License
4
minor Sanitation

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

THE STORAGE RACK ABOVE THE HAND SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT USE TO STORE DISPOSABLE CUPS HAS A GREASY LIKE SUBSTANCE ON IT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS HAS FOOD AND DEBIS ON THEM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS. MAINTAIN THE SAME.

minor Sanitation

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

THE WALLS, CEILING AND VENTS IN THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND DINING AREA HAS DIRT/DUST BUILD UP ON THEM. ALSO, THE FILTERS ON THE VENTILATION AND THE WALLS BEHIND THE SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA HAS DIRT/FOOD STAINS. INSTR...

minor Employee Hygiene

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

THERE IS A LEAK AT THE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO FIX. MAINTAIN SAME.

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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 →
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