SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

THE AVONDALE COFFEE CLUB.

BEAT. 18/100

3185 N ELSTON AVE · NORTH CENTER, CHICAGO

Last inspected December 16, 2025 · failed

Failed an inspection 5 months ago. 10 critical violations on the cumulative record. Recent enough to matter.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
6
0 passed · 5 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
30
includes 10 critical
RECORDS COVER
4 YEARS
since Feb 2021

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 16
2025
FAILED
5 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE PERSON-IN-CHARGE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES OF FOOD OPERATIONS.

CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE ON-SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE WHILE TCS FOOD ITEMS (SANDWICHES, MILK BEVERAGES) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON-SITE DURING FOOD OPERATIONS AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE, POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS LOCATION, AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK PROVIDED ON-SITE INCOMPLETE, MISSING ALL PEST CONTROL REPORTS FROM 2024 AND 2025 (ONLY REPORT PROVIDED DATED JUNE 2022). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH ALL PEST CONTROL SERVICE REPORTS AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY THE LAW AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.

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

OBSERVED MILK CRATES IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA USED TO ELEVATE UTENSILS AND FOOD CONTAINER BOXES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MILK CRATES AND REPLACE WITH ELEVATED EQUIPMENT THAT MAINTAINS FOOD AND UTENSILS AT LEAST 6" ABOVE THE FLOOR AND FACILITATES CLEANING BENEATH EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FLOORS IN THE FURNACE CLOSET ROOM TO BE SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS BENEATH EQUIPMENT AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUECY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 17
2025
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
6 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & 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.

CRITICALFood Temperature
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (MILK, DAIRY PRODUCTS ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES THAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOOD ARE BEING HANDLED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICE OR PAPER TOWEL AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. (CORRECTED ON SITE - EMPLOYEE PROVIDED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED.

MINOROther
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING PEST HARBORAGE AND STORE 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

MINORFood Temperature
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

BUILDUP OF DUST AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND IN BETWEEN COOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

DEC 6
2024
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED. PREMISES SERVES TCS FOODS: MILK, CREAMER, ETC. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THEY MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN, POST CERTIFICATE VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.

MINORDocumentation & Training
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS WITH NO LABELS WITH INGREDIENTS NAME ON SHELVING UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND MAINTAIN.

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

OBSERVED BOXED SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES BEING STORED ON FLOOR ON IN LOWER LEVEL DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAIN AND MAINTAIN.

FEB 25
2022
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations
DETAILS
MINOROther
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE WHITE MILK REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE, ACCURATE THERMOMETER IN REFRIGERATION UNITS.

MINOROther
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN RECORD DESCRIBING THE PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING PROOF OF VACCINATION IN PUBLIC PLACES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.

MINOROther
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

OBSERVED NO RECORDS OF EMPLOYEE VACCINATION STATUS OR WEEKLY TESTING PER PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER EXHIBIT A.

MINOROther
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

FOUND NO SIGNAGE REQUIRING MASKS. INSTRUCTED TO POST THE REQUIRED SIGNAGE. VIOLATION 2-112-340(COS).

MINOROther
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS

OBSERVED NO SIGNAGE POSTED AT THE ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE TO THE COVERED LOCATION AND AT LEAST ONE LOCATION INSIDE PREMISES THAT IS CONSPICOUSLY VISIBLE, INFORMING PATRONS OF THE FULL VACCINATION REQUIREMENT. INSTRUCTED TO POST SIGNAGE.VIOLATION 2-112-340 (COS).

MAR 9
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
2 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & 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.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED RAW, UNEVEN BRICK WALL SURFACES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WHERE THE COFFEE EXPRESSO MACHINES, REFIGERATORS, ICE MACHINE ARE LOCATED. ALSO ABOVE AND BELOW THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE WALL SURFACE IN PREP/UTENSIL WASHING AREAS.

show all 6 inspections →
FEB 17
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & 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.

MINORFood Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED FACILITY EQUIPMENT FOR COLD HOLDING IN DISREPAIR. OBSERVED MINI LEFT REFRIGERATOR IN FOOD PREP AREA TO BE AT IMPROPER AT 60F. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE FOR PROPER COLD HOLDING OF 41 DEGREES F OR BELOW. TAGGED UNIT. PLEASE CONTACT CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES ON WATER SUPPLY TO THE ICE MACHINE, COFFEE AND EXPRESSO MACHINES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES MUST BE LOCATED TO SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

MINORSanitation
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

UNABLE TO VERIFY EXISTANCE OF GREASETRAP FOR UTENSIL WASHING SINK. MUST HAVE GREASETRAP INSTALLED AND ACCESSIBLE AT FUTURE INSPECTIONS.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED RAW, UNEVEN BRICK WALL SURFACES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WHERE THE COFFEE EXPRESSO MACHINES, REFIGERATORS, ICE MACHINE ARE LOCATED. ALSO ABOVE AND BELOW THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE WALL SURFACE IN PREP/UTENSIL WASHING AREAS.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES ONCE EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED.

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 →

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