NOV 10
2025
PASSED
7 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO
✕
THE PERFECT CUP INC.
YOUR CALL. 64/100
4700 N DAMEN AVE · LINCOLN SQUARE, CHICAGO
Last inspected November 10, 2025 · passed
7 of 11 inspections passed, 1 failed, 3 passed with conditions. 4 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTIONS
11
7 passed · 3 w/ conditions · 1 failed
VIOLATIONS
46
includes 4 critical
RECORDS COVER
15 YEARS
since Aug 2010
INSPECTION HISTORY
PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
NOTED AN EMPLOYEES OPEN COFFEE CUP IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE A CLOSED CONTAINER FOR BEVERAGES.
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
MUST NOT STORE DRY FOODS/BEVERAGES DIRECTLY UNDER WASTE WATER LINES IN THE BASEMENT.
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE ORGANIZED AND ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT.
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
NOTED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE CURRENT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES.
JUN 302021PASS W/ CONDITIONS1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
JUN 30
2021
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
1 violation1 CRITICALDETAILS
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. PREMISES SERVES COFFEE AND SANDWICHES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
MAY 82020PASS W/ CONDITIONS7 violationsDETAILS
MAY 8
2020
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
7 violationsDETAILS
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
DURING INSPECTION OBSERVED TUNA SALAD MADE IN HOUSE TO BE DATE MARKED WITH MADE DATE.WHEN TCS FOOD 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
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO REACH UNDER PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
OBSERVED USE DUCK TAPE FOR REPAIRS ON OUTSIDE OF FOOD EQUIPMENT. MUST USE PROPER EASY CLEANABLE MATERIALS FOR REPAIR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN EXTERIOR OF ICE STORAGE VMACHINE.
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
OBSERVED SMALL WATER DRIP FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK(RIGHT SIDE COMPARTMENT)MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN UNISEX BATHROOMS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
MUST REPAIR,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING IN HOLLOWAY TO BASEMENT WHERE EMPLOYEE CLOTHING STORED
SEP 202018PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
SEP 20
2018
PASS W/ CONDITIONS
5 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
2-102.14(N)- NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
2-501.11-NO PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING WHEN AN EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCES VOMITING AND/OR DIARRHEA. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-39-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
3-501.17(C)- ALL REFRIGERATED TCS FOOD INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLER AND PREP COOLER MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED AND DATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-201.11- PEELING PAINT ON THE WALLS IN THE DINING AREA BY THE DINING TABLES. MUST SCRAPE PEELING PAINT AND REPAINT AND MAINTAIN. 6-201.11- MUST RE SEALED FLOOR THRU-OUT THE DINING AREAS AND PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS. FLOOR MUST BE SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN. 6-201.11- ALL WALL BASE THRU-OUT THE DINING AREAS WITH ACCUMULATED DUST AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
6-501.11- HOLE ON THE WALLS BEHIND UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPT SINK. MUST SEAL HOLE AND MAINTAIN.
JAN 112017PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
JAN 11
2017
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD AT PREP COOLER WITH DEEP CUTS,STAINS.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
OBSERVED INTERIORS OF MILK COOLER NOT CLEAN.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN MILK COOLER IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR VENTILATION AND MAINTAIN.
show all 11 inspections →
DEC 282015PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
DEC 28
2015
PASSED
2 violationsDETAILS
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
REMOVE DUSTS ACCUMULATIONS ON FAN BLADES IN CUSTOMER SEATING AREAS AND VENTILATION COVER INSIDE THE EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE AND COFFEE EXPRESSO UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE.
DEC 182015FAILED3 violationsDETAILS
DEC 18
2015
FAILED
3 violationsDETAILS
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. 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).
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
REMOVE DUSTS ACCUMULATIONS ON FAN BLADES IN CUSTOMER SEATING AREAS AND VENTILATION COVER INSIDE THE EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE AND COFFEE EXPRESSO UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE.
SEP 172014PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
SEP 17
2014
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
FOODS INDIVIDUAL PACKAGED FOR SELL INSIDE COOLERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL CONTAINERS WITH INGREDIENTS LISTED.
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
SINGLE AND MULTI USE UTENSILS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
INTERIOR ICE MACHINE PARTS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
FLOOR BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND ALONG WALL BASE IN BASEMENT NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DAILY.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
GREASE TRAP NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WORN GASKET AT TOP OF TRAP TO PREVENT SEEPAGE.
JUL 102013PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
JUL 10
2013
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
PREP FOODS IN STORAGE COOLERS NOT LABELED; INSTRUCTED TO DATE/LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST BUILD-UP ON EQUIPMENT; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE, FREEZERS, ICE MACHINE, COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MOP SINK.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
DEBRIS/FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS; MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS AT PREP AREA AND BASEMENT.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
EXCESSIVE DUST BUILD-UP ON WALLS BEHIND EQUIPMENT, CEILING ATTACHMENTS AND VENT COVERS; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
NO HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING/SERVING FOODS.
OCT 212011PASSED5 violationsDETAILS
OCT 21
2011
PASSED
5 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS.
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN/SANITIZE; UPPER INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE AND TOASTER OVEN.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN FLOORS, UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT, AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS THRU-OUT.
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN VENT COVERS IN WASHROOMS AND CEILING ATTACHMENTS.
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST REPAIR LEACKING FAUCET AT THE EXPOSED SINK AT PREP AREA.
AUG 202010PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
AUG 20
2010
PASSED
3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DETAIL CLEAN ALL EQUIPMENT IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS. REMOVE DUCT TAPE FROM CORNERS OF COOLER IN 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA AND REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH, NON-POUROUS EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. ACCUMULATED DUST ON FLOOR NEXT TO ICE MACHINE AND DEBRIS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT PREMISES. DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG WALLS, BEHIND AND UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER, CHAIRS, BOXES ETC ON DAMEN SIDE OF BASEMENT AND THROUGHOUT. STORE ALL ITEMS 6" OFF OF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS.
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 →