SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

SARIMA CAFE.

BEAT. 38/100

1924 W NORTH AVE · WICKER PARK, CHICAGO

Last inspected February 25, 2026 · passed

Failed 2 of 4 inspections. 6 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
4
1 passed · 1 w/ conditions · 2 failed
VIOLATIONS
39
includes 6 critical
RECORDS COVER
9 MONTHS
since May 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

FEB 25
2026
PASSED
6 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

3-302.12 OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT IDENTIFED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD ITEM. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-305.11 OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

3-304.14 OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED IMPROPERLY ON PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USAGE.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

3-304.12 OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS (SCOOPS) STORED IMPROPERLY DIRECTLY INSIDE DRY STORAGE CONTAINER(S). INSTRUCTED TO STORE UTENSILS PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13 OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.16 OBSERVED MOP STORED IMPROPERLY IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.

FEB 20
2026
FAILED
10 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALFood Temperature
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON DUTY AT THE START TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TIME AND TEMPERATURE FOR CONTROL FOR SAFETY, TCS, FOODS ARE STORED, PREPPED/HANDLED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE AND POST ON SITE. CERTIFIED MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 9:35AM, TOWARDS THE END OF THE WALK-THROUGH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALFood Temperature
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK HOT WATER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE AT 69F. INSTRUCTED HOT WATER AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE AT LEAST 100F. MANAGER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT AT THE SINK THEN CONTACTED SERVICE TECHNICIAN/PLUMBER. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT IDENTIFED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD ITEM. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

MINOREmployee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING/HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED IMPROPERLY ON PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USAGE.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS (SCOOPS) STORED IMPROPERLY DIRECTLY INSIDE DRY STORAGE CONTAINER(S). INSTRUCTED TO STORE UTENSILS PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.

SERIOUSSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS (BUILD-UP OF COFFEE GRINDS) ON COFFEE MACHINE SPOUTS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONTLINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFTER USE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED MOP STORED IMPROPERLY IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.

MAY 23
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
11 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

2-102.14(O) : OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15 : OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-305.12 : OBSERVED FROZEN FOOD PRODUCTS FROM ADJACENT RESTAURANT BEING STORED INSIDE OF WALK IN FREEZER MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY AT THERE LICENSED FACILITY.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11 : MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK AT FRONT PREP COUNTER.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

4-101.19 : MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STOARGE IN WALK IN FREEZER AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS,CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN FREEZER.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRONT SERVICE COUNTER STORAGE CABINETS,INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND REMOVE TAPE FROM SAME TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR AND LEAKY COMPRESSOR LINE IN WALK IN COOLER AND REMOVE BUCKET OF WATER.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.13 : MUST GROUT FLOOR IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL BASE NEAR REAR DOOR,LOOSE WINDOW TRIM IN DINING AREA AND REMOVE TAPE FROM SAME,GAP IN FLOORING ALONG WALL BASE IN WALK IN COOLER,DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN FRONT PREP AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.16 : MUST SCRAPE CHIPING PAINT FROM CEILING IN DINING AREA TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: 6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN CALCIUM BUILD UP FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE NEAR ICE MACHINE AND DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECT FROM FLOOR IN TOILET ROOM.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.17 : MUST CLEAN DEAD INSECTS FROM LIGHT SHIELD IN FRONT PREP AREA.

MAY 22
2025
FAILED
12 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES' HEALTH POLICIES MUST BE PROVIDED AND MAINTAINED.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FROZEN FOOD PRODUCTS FROM ADJACENT RESTAURANT BEING STORED INSIDE OF WALK IN FREEZER MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY AT THERE LICENSED FACILITY.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK AT FRONT PREP COUNTER.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STOARGE IN WALK IN FREEZER AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS,CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS IN WALK IN FREEZER.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FRONT SERVICE COUNTER STORAGE CABINETS,INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND REMOVE TAPE FROM SAME TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR AND LEAKY COMPRESSOR LINE IN WALK IN COOLER AND REMOVE BUCKET OF WATER.

MINOROther
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER TO DISPOSE OF TRASH. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST GROUT FLOOR IN REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALL BASE NEAR REAR DOOR,LOOSE WINDOW TRIM IN DINING AREA AND REMOVE TAPE FROM SAME,GAP IN FLOORING ALONG WALL BASE IN WALK IN COOLER,DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN FRONT PREP AREA.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST SCRAPE CHIPING PAINT FROM CEILING IN DINING AREA TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN CALCIUM BUILD UP FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASE NEAR ICE MACHINE AND DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECT FROM FLOOR IN TOILET ROOM.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEAD INSECTS FROM LIGHT SHIELD IN FRONT PREP AREA.

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 WICKER PARK