SIPPING TURTLE CAFE.

Chicago Health Dept

2959 N MILWAUKEE AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Mar 2026).

11 inspections on record since 2019 · Last inspected Mar 2026 · 1 critical violation in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

MAR 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAR 31

2026

PASS 4 violations

Minor Food Storage & Handling

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

OBSERVED SEVERAL ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.

Serious Employee Hygiene

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

OBSERVED WATER FILTRATION ATTACHED TO THE HANDSINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. HAND WASHING SINK IS USED ONLY FOR WASHING HANDS AND NOT FOR DISPENSING OF DRINKING WATER.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REORGANIZE BASEMENT AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS LEADING TO BASEMENT. MUST REAPINT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

DEC 5

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE FRONT COFFEE BAR AREA HANDWASHING SINK. FACILITY HAS BULK BOTTLE OF HAND SOAP STORED BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ADJACENT TO HANDWASHING SINK AND STATES FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES REACH ONTO FLOOR TO GRAB SOAP FOR HANDWASHING WHEN NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE BOTTLE OF SOAP TO HANDWASHING SINK AND MAINTAIN EASILY-ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED HAND SOAP TO HANDWASHING SINK WITHOUT REQUIRING REACHING UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

OBSERVED CLEAN EQUIPMENT (PLATES) AND SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES (CUPS, BOWLS) STORED IN ORIGINAL BOXES DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND SINGLE-SERVIE ARTICLES AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT TO BE SOILED: BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AT THE COFFEE BAR COUNTERTOP OVEN, BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND ICE AT THE STORAGE AREA UPRIGHT FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

MAR 18

2025

PASS 5 violations

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING SHELVING UNITS IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNITS IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED COFFEE BEANS AND DIRT ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRCUTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 23

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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.

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SANDWICHES, SOUPS ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE 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 (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE ESPECIALLY AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE.

Minor Documentation & Training

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

NOTED THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 RULE #PA-100-0367 FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2581453 DATED 09/11/2023 NOT CORRECTED.FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION VIOLATION#7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

SEP 11

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (DAIRY, MILK, EGGS, SANDWICHES ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE PREP AND REACH-IN COOLER IN PREP/SERVICE AREA.

Serious Employee Hygiene

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

OBSERVED WATER FILTRATION ATTACHED TO THE HANDSINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. HAND WASHING SINK IS USED ONLY FOR WASHING HANDS AND NOT FOR DISPENSING OF DRINKING WATER.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HANDSINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REORGANIZE AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION

show all 11 inspections →

JUN 5

2023

PASS 3 violations

Serious Sanitation

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL CALCIUM BUILD-UP.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH DUST, DIRT AND SOME LITTER ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REORGANIZE INSIDE REAR BOILER CLOSET. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

MAY 23

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE.

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION WHILE (TCS FOODS) (PREPARING DELI SANDWICHES,SOUP ETC.) IS BEING PREPARED/HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT WHILE HANDLING (TCS FOODS).PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE SPLASHED FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE MILK COOLER IN PREP AREA.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK AREA AND THE DRY STORAGE RACKS LEADING TO BASEMENT AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

APR 7

2021

PASS · 0 violations

MAR 31

2021

FAIL 6 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOODS (SOUP, MILK, DELI MEAT). FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROPER THERMOMETERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED NO LABEL FOR BULK SUGAR STORAGE CONTAINER STORED ON THE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE DISPLAY COOLER WHERE THE BAKERY ITEMS ARE STORED. ALSO, OBSERVED FOOD SPLASH IN THE INTERIOR OF THE TWO DOOR PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.

DEC 24

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-010. MUST PROVIDE

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP POLICY/SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ICE MACHINE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE WATERLINES. MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND NO EXHAUST VENTS FOR RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

DEC 12

2019

FAIL 5 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-010. MUST PROVIDE.

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP POLICY/SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

FOUND NO FOOD GUARDS FOR FRONT COUNTER AREAS/ESPRESSO MACHINE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ICE MACHINE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE WATERLINES. MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND NO EXHAUST VENTS FOR RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

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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