MAR 3
2026
PASS · 0 violations
MOTHERLAND CAFE.
Chicago Health Dept
5008 N LINCOLN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Passed most recent inspection (Mar 2026); 4 critical violations across the last 12 months.
6 inspections on record since 2024 · Last inspected Mar 2026 · 4 critical violations in the last 12 months.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
6
VIOLATIONS
26
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
MAR 2026
INSPECTION HISTORY
DEC 19
2025
FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
3-302.12 ALL FOODS IN CONTAINERS INSIDE COOLERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 15 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR UTILITY CLOSET. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
2-402.11 ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.11 FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN
DEC 5
2025
FAIL 11 violations 3 CRITICAL
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
THE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INITIAL INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT INITIAL INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGER WAS TELEPHONED UPON MY ARRIVAL AND ARRIVED ON SITE 45 MINUTES LATER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE A VERIFIED WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
ALL FOODS IN CONTAINERS INSIDE COOLERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME.
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
MUST NOT STORE SOILED WIPING CLOTHS ON THE HAND SINK SPLASH GUARD.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE CHLORINE SANITIZER TO MONITOR SANITIZING LEVELS AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE FOR THE ABOVE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER.
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2602117 ON 9-4-24 NOT CORRECTED. #55- 6-501.12-- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF SPILLED DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.#55- 6-501.114--- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.#57- 2-102.13--- OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
SEP 4
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 5 violations 1 CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN FOODP PREP/DISHWASHING AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF SPILLED DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
JUN 18
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 1 violation 1 CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
show all 6 inspections →
JUN 10
2024
FAIL 5 violations 2 CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE ON PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A LICENSED PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (CONTRACT/SERVICE AGREEMENT,SERVICE REPORT,COPY OF IDPH LICENSE ETC.)PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (C).
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT COLD HANDLE FOR THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVER INSIDE THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.
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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