Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Ain't She Sweet Cafe

Name: Ain't She Sweet Cafe
Address: 526 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL

526 E 43rd St

Last inspected May 1, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Pass w/ Conditions

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Ain't She Sweet Cafe has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist

ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Complaint

May 1, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

1 recorded violation

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR. IMPROPER: CHICKEN 50.1 F TO 52.5 F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 25 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $300.00. THROUGH THE DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 1, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 24, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BEVERAGES STORED ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. FOOD MAY NOT BE STORED IN TOILET ROOMS, MUST MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

notedCode 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT PREMISE IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SOULTION AT LEAST 50 PPM IN BETWEEN USES.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SANDWICH TRAYS STORED IMPROPERLY INSIDE CABINETS AS WELL AS ON STORAGE CARTS IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATON.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 24, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 2, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE DEEP FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT WITH ICE BUILD UP. MUST DEFROST AND CLEAN, ALSO CLEAN THE UPRIGHT FREEZER TO REMOVE SPILLS.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 2, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 16, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 16, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 15, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED VARIOUS TCS FOODS INSIDE THE FRONT PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES SUCH AS: 15LBS OF RAW CHICKEN AT 60F, 5LBS OF COOKED GRILLED CHICKEN AT 59.0F AND 7LBS OF COOKED JERK CHICKEN AT 49.0F. A TOTAL 27LBS AT $350 WERE DISCARDED AND DENATURED. PRIORITY CITATION ISSUED #7-38-005

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FRONT PREP COOLER WHICH HOLDS TCS FOODS WITH AN IMPROPER AIR TEMP OF 60f. COOLER TAGGED/HELD FOR INSPECTION UNTIL IT HOLDS A AIR TEMP OF 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY CITATION #7-38-005.