THE BOOKCELLAR.

Chicago Health Dept

4736-4738 N LINCOLN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2021.

7 inspections on record since 2012 · Last inspected Nov 2021.

Last inspected Nov 2021. Records may not reflect current conditions.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
7
VIOLATIONS
26
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
NOV 2021

INSPECTION HISTORY

NOV 22
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL
Critical Documentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PREMISES SERVES COFFEE WITH MILK AND CREAMER AND ESPRESSO DRINKS. MANAGEMENT INTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Documentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

Minor Documentation & Training
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2357169 ON 1/23/20 NOT CORRECTED: 57 - OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090.

Minor Other
SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY WAS POSTED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B).

JAN 23
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 10 violations 3 CRITICAL
Critical Documentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)

Critical Sanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005

Serious Food Temperature
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY TO EAT, TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SLICED DELI PRODUCT)NOT PROPERLY DATED , STORED LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005

Minor Food Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Critical Pest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED AN APPX. "1/4-1/2" OPENING UNDER REAR EXIT DOOR TO TRASH AREA.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.

Serious Food Temperature
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

FACILITY USES HIGH TEMPERATURE SANITIZING DISH MACHINE AND DOESN'T HAVE PROPER TEMPERATURE MEASURING IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR OR THERMOMETER THAT SHALL BE PROVIDED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MEASURING THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE DURING HOT WATER SANITATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN DOOR GASKETS ON BOTH REACH UNDER COOLER COVERED WITH FOOD DEBRIS

Minor Plumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE AND CAPPUCCINO/ESPRESSO MACHINE. MUST INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES OR AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT SO IT MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

Minor Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER THROUGH OUT THE FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, PROPERLY ELEVATE STOCK 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS FOR BETTER CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Minor Other
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.

NOV 21
2017
PASS · 0 violations
NOV 13
2017
FAIL 6 violations
Serious Sanitation
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE.OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MACHINE ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO TURN OFF MACHINE,REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Serious Chemical Safety
DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES.SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Serious Sanitation
DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

FOUND THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK NOT MAINTAINED. WHILE RUNNING AND DRAINING WATER IN THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMP SINK,WASTE WATER DEBRIS COMING UP FROM THE RIGHT COMPARTMENT OF SINK.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN GREASE TRAP AND DRAINLINES TO PREVENT INADEQUATE DISPOSAL OF WASTE WATERS AND MAINTAIN.SERIOUS 7-38-030.

Minor Plumbing & Waste
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING HANDSINK INSIDE THE TOILET ROOM TO THE REAR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING SINK AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

ELEVATE STOCK/SUPPLIES INSIDE STORAGE CLOSETS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other
FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

FOOD HANDLER(S) WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

JUN 25
2015
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

CLOSET AREAS CLUTTERED, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND BETTER ORGANIZE,

show all 7 inspections →
SEP 11
2012
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

REMAINS TO BE CORRECTED BY 12/10/12.

SEP 10
2012
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations
Serious Sanitation
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

ICE ARE NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE. FOUND BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON THE PIPE INSIDE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE WHERE THE WATER IS COMING FROM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE ICE MACHINE. TAGGED THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL IT IS CLEANED AND SANITIZED. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-005(A).

Minor Sanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR UNDER THE DRY STORAGE SHELVINGS INSIDE THE STORAGE ROOM, ALONG THE WALL BASE AND ALL CORNER IN THE PREP AREA,BEHIND THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

MUST CLEAN THE WALLS BEHIND AND UNDER THE 3 COMPARTEMNT SINK AND MAINTAIN. PEELING PAINT AND HOLE ON THE WALLS BY THE MOP SINK . INSTRUCTED TO SEAL THE HOLE AND SCRAPE PELLING PAINT AND REPAINT.

Minor Sanitation
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

CLUTTER, PERSONAL BELONGING, MEDICINE, PAPERS, ETC ON TOP AND SIDES OF MICROWAVE AND BESIDE THE EXPOSED HAND SINK. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ORGANIZE THE AREA AND MAINTAIN.

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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