Western Cafe

Chicago Health Dept

5710 N WESTERN AVE · WEST RIDGE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2019.

8 inspections on record since 2016 · Last inspected Jan 2019.

Last inspected Jan 2019. Records may not reflect current conditions.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JAN 2019

Inspection history

JAN 24

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

NO PERSON OR EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES ARE INFORMED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY DISEASE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 (A) NO CITATION

Critical Sanitation

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED) 7-38.005.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED) 7-38-005

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED THAT RICE HAVE BEEN STORED IN BULK CONTAINER. ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH CAN IN LADY'S RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

MAR 15

2018

PASS 1 violation

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET. MUST INSTALL.

MAR 7

2018

FAIL 6 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM 2/27/18 INSPECTION (REPORT #2145659) NOT CORRECTED #18: NOTED APPROXIMATELY 100 MICE DROPPINGS UNDER THE KITCHEN STOVE, BEHIND THE KITCHEN COOLERS, ALONG THE BASEBOARDS BEHIND THE GRILL, BEHIND THE POKER MACHINES IN DINING AREA, ALONG BASEBOARDS IN THE REAR STORAGE ROOM, THE HALLWAY TO WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED ALL DROPPINGS MUST BE REMOVED. ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS IN ALL WALLS AND CEILING SEALED. MUST HAVE LICENSED PEST COMPANY SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST USE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC DISPOSABLE BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS OR NON SMOOTH PLASTIC AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE FRONT PREP AND KITCHEN. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

INTERIOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER WITH ICE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ICE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

NO EXHAUST VENTILATION IN MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST INSTALL MECHANICAL VENTILATION OR HAVE WINDOW OPENABLE AND SCREENED. NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT MOP SINK FAUCET. MUST INSTALL.

Minor Sanitation

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

VIOLATION NOTED AT THIS TIME WHEN GIVEN ACCESS TO LOCKED BASEMENT ROOM. ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THROUGHOUT LOWER LEVEL STORAGE ROOM MUST BE REMOVED AND ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.

FEB 27

2018

FAIL 10 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

NO PAPER TOWELS AT FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK. NO SOAP AT KITCHEN EXPOSED HAND SINK. MUST PROVIDE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY THREE HUNDRED MICE DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS. UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP. BEHIND AND UNDER THE OVEN AND GRILL. UNDER ALL KITCHEN PREP TABLES. BEHIND ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS. ON PREP SHELVING IN KITCHEN. ON SHELVING THROUGHOUT FRONT PREP. NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH CURRENT SERVICE REPORTS ON PREMISES AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A LICENSED PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. SEAL ALL HOLES NOTED DURING CLEANING.OPEN ONE INCH GAP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR TO THE ALLEY. MUST SEAL GAP AND PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Serious Food Temperature

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE FOODS SUCH AS BEEF WHERE BEING HELD IN HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 158.9F. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE FOODS ARE PREPARED, HELD AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

Critical Pest Activity

TOXIC ITEMS PROPERLY STORED, LABELED AND USED

TOXIC ITEMS FOUND IMPROPERLY STORED. OPEN RODENT BAIT ON THE FLOOR ALONG BASEBOARD BEHIND GRILL, OVEN AND PREP SHELVING WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED AND STORED. MUST REMOVE ALL OPEN BAIT FROM THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Serious Pest Activity

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM #2059610 ON 6-6-17 NOT CORRECTED.#32- NOTED SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA LINED WITH FOIL PAPER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FOIL, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST USE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC DISPOSABLE BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

MUST NOT USE CLOTH TOWELS OR NON SMOOTH PLASTIC AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE FRONT PREP AND KITCHEN. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

INTERIOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND ICE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ICE.

Minor Food Temperature

ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN THE FOOD-PREP AREA

OBSERVED CUSTOMER ENTER THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND SERVE THEMSELVES HOT FOOD FROM THE HOT HOLDING STEAM TABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA.

Minor Sanitation

NO SMOKING REGULATIONS

FOUND ESTABLISHMENT TO BE IN VIOLATION WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE. OBSERVED UPON ENTRY TO RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT TWO CUSTOMERS AT TWO DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE DINING ROOM SMOKING CIGARETTES. 1ST VIOLATION 7-32-015.

JUN 6

2017

PASS 1 violation

Minor Pest Activity

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

NOTED SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA LINED WITH FOIL PAPER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FOIL APER, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

show all 8 inspections →

JUN 2

2017

FAIL 4 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED

NOTED NO COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE KITCHEN HAND WASH SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030

Serious Documentation & Training

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

NOTED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIME. SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-012.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE FREEZER STORED IN GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

Minor Pest Activity

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

NOTED SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA LINED WITH FOIL PAPER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FOIL APER, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

SEP 14

2016

PASS 1 violation

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED RAW WOOD NEAR GAME MACHINES. PAINT OR SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

SEP 9

2016

FAIL 7 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

OBSERVED REFRIGERATION UNIT IN DRY STORAGE ROOM AT 48.6F. REFRIGERATION UNIT MUST BE REPAIRED AND MAINTAINING AT 40F OR LESS. REPAIR OR REMOVE REFRIGERATOR, CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (A)

Critical Pest Activity

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR LEADING TO DUMPSTER NOT RODENTPROOF WITH FLOOR TILES IN DISREPAIR CREATING 1/4 INCH GAP AT BASE OF DOOR. MUST REPAIR FLOOR SO THAT IT IS FLUSH WITH DOOR AND INSTALL DOOR SWEEP SO THAT THERE IS NO GAP AT BASE OF DOOR. NEW CONTRACT MUST BE PROVIDED WITH NEW OWNERS LISTED ON CONTRACT FOR UP TO DATE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK.SERIOUS VIOALTION 7-38-020

Serious Chemical Safety

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

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE IN ORDER TO DETECT PROPER CONCENTRATION OF SANITZER SOLUTION.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED ALL TIN FOIL MUST BE REMOVED FROM ALL LOWER SHELVING OF PREP TABLES WITHIN KITHCEN. REMOVE ALL TIN FOIL AND RESURFACE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES SO THAT THEY ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED RAW WOOD WALL NEAR GAME MACHINES. PAINT OR SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED VENTS WITHIN WASHROOMS WITH HEAVY DUST ACCUMULATION. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL CEILING VENTS.

Minor Sanitation

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED SINK STOPPERS NEEDED FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE ALL DISHES.

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

ALL REFRIGERATORS NEED WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE AT ALL TIMES. ALL REFRIGERATORS NEED TO BE 40F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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