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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Bittersweet

2019 S Laflin St

Last inspected Nov 26, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

6 inspections

Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 26, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOORS STILL IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DIRT, COFFEE BEANS AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 26, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 19, 2025

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2607640 DATED 11/19/2024 NOT CORRECTED AND/OR MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN: -#40. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A HAIR NET OR CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. -#58. OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT FOR ALL FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 61Other

Official wording

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

Inspector’s notes

THE NON-COMPLIANCE SUMMARY REPORT FROM 11/19/2024 WAS NOT POSTED IN PLAIN VIEWING OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT'S CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO POST AND MAINTAIN SUMMARY POSTED IN PLAIN VIEWING OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT'S CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B) CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED UNDER VIOLATION #2.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE NOR A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE TCS FOODS (EGG, MILK) ARE BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND A VALID/ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

FOUND 40 RODENT DROPPINGS AROUND THE LOW TEMP. DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

FLOORS AROUND THE LOW TEMP. DISH MACHINE WITH DROPPINGS, DIRT AND BROKEN GLASS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

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, Nov 19, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 19, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED UNDER VIOLATION #2.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE NOR A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE TCS FOODS (EGG, MILK) ARE BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND A VALID/ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A HAIR NET OR CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 OBSERVED THE PIPE UNDER THE HAND WASHING SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH A LEAK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT FOR ALL FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Dec 15, 2023

Pass w/ Conditions

1 recorded violation

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

FOUND SAMPLE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE. OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING MATERIALS TO CLEAN UP SAID INCIDENT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND CLEANING MATERIALS (GLOVES, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS) FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW AND USE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 15, 2023 · Original Source

License

Dec 5, 2023

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 5Other

Official wording

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

Inspector’s notes

FOUND SAMPLE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE. OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING MATERIALS TO CLEAN UP SAID INCIDENT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND CLEANING MATERIALS (GLOVES, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS) FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW AND USE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

FOUND FOOD PREP BAR PREP AREA WHERE TOASTER OVEN IS LOCATED WITHOUT SNEEZE GUARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE BARRIER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM CONSUMERS. PRIORITY VIOLATION.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 5, 2023 · Original Source

License

Nov 30, 2023

Not Ready

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 30, 2023 · Original Source

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