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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Cafe 53

1369 E 53rd St

Last inspected Apr 3, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Canvass

Apr 3, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS. OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP CEILING AND WALL VENTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FANS AND CEILING/WALL VENTS.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA NOT STOCKED WITH HAND SOAP. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT HAND SOAP MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HANDSINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED HAND SOAP FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 3, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 29, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT POP AND/OR MILK CRATES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR PROPER ELEVATION. MUST BE ABLE TO EASILY CLEAN AND MONITOR UNDERNEATH.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF COOLERS, FREEZERS AND COUNTER TOPS.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS THROUGH OUT ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS. ALSO CLEAN LEDGES IN THE PREP AREA TO REMOVE DBERIS.

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, Apr 29, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 10, 2024

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING AT THE BOTTOM (1/4" GAP). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD IN THE REAR WITH DEEP DARK SEEMS. MUST REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLER SHELVING AND FAN COVER.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE CEILING AND WALLS IN THE PREP AREA DUSTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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 10, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Mar 27, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE FOR SOME FOOD ITEMS; INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE.

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
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE RUBBER GASKETS AT ONE REFRIGERATION UNIT AND ONE FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TO AVOID AIR ESCAPING FROM UNITS.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND A LEAK FROM THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN TH MENS WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK AT SINK.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT ARE NOT FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFCATE.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: THE FLOORS AND WALLS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, CLEAN FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE ROOM, CLEAN INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS WHERE NEEDED, PREP TABLES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN AREA.

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, Mar 27, 2024 · Original Source

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