SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

MOTHERLAND CAFE.

BEAT. 27/100

5008 N LINCOLN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected March 3, 2026 · passed

Failed 3 of 6 inspections. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
1 passed · 2 w/ conditions · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
26
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Jun 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 3
2026
PASSED
0 violations
DEC 19
2025
FAILED
4 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 ALL FOODS IN CONTAINERS INSIDE COOLERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME.

CRITICALPest Activity
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.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

2-402.11 ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.

MINORSanitation
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
FAILED
11 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
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.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
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.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
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.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL FOODS IN CONTAINERS INSIDE COOLERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

MUST NOT STORE SOILED WIPING CLOTHS ON THE HAND SINK SPLASH GUARD.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

SERIOUSSanitation
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.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.

MINOROther
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.

MINORPest Activity
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 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
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.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN FOODP PREP/DISHWASHING AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF SPILLED DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORPest Activity
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.

MINORDocumentation & Training
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 violation1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
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
FAILED
5 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
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.

MINORFood Temperature
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

CRITICALPest Activity
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).

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT COLD HANDLE FOR THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CEILING VENTILATION COVER INSIDE THE WASHROOM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUSTS AND MAINTAIN.

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 →

NEARBY IN LINCOLN SQUARE