JUL 11
2025
PASSED
0 violationsSANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
PINI PICO COFFEE CO.
BEAT. 40/100
1536-1538 N CLARK ST · OLD TOWN, CHICAGO
Last inspected July 11, 2025 · passed
Failed 2 of 7 inspections. 10 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
7
2 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
20
includes 10 critical
RECORDS COVER
5 YEARS
since Apr 2020
INSPECTION HISTORY
JUL 32025FAILED7 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
JUL 3
2025
FAILED
7 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS (EMPANADAS, EGGS ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO AND DEFROST, CLEAN MAINTAIN.
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OCT 12024PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
OCT 1
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE.
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS (EMPANADAS, PASTRIES, SANDWICHES) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER AND EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA, THE REAR DISH WASHING/STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING, BREEDING AND HARBORING.
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
OBSERVED A HEAVY BUILD UP OF DUST ON THE VENTS IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS BEING PREPARED IN SERVICE AREA.
NOV 152022PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violationsDETAILS
NOV 15
2022
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violationsDETAILS
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CREAM, MILK, EGGS, AND DELI SANDWICHES) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 50.1F - 55.7 F LOCATED IN ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER DISCARDED ALL TCS FOODS AT A TOTAL COST OF $400. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR OF 50.1F AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES. TAGGED UNIT HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. COS. .
show all 7 inspections →
APR 202020PASS W/ CONDITIONS1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 20
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
APR 82020FAILED5 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
APR 8
2020
FAILED
5 violations3 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS MASK, GLOVES DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER AND MUST MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
OBSERVED OPENING ON BOTTOM FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
OBSERVED NO BARRIER OR PROTECTION AT THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA BETWEEN GLASS RINSE STATION AND CUSTOMERS AND TAP COLD BREW COFFEE AND KOMBUCHA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BARRIER SNEEZE GUARD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDE IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE 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 →