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Mobile Food Preparer · Chicago, IL

Cafe Harold's

2300 S Throop St

Last inspected Aug 5, 2026 · 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

4 inspections

License Re-Inspection

Aug 5, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-602.12: OBSERVED INCORRECT PLATE NUMBER ON VEHICLE. INSTURCTED TO PUT MOBILE FOOD LICENSE NUMBER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

5-502.12: OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID ON THE VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 5, 2026 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Jul 29, 2026

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-602.12: OBSERVED INCORRECT PLATE NUMBER ON VEHICLE. INSTURCTED TO PUT MOBILE FOOD LICENSE NUMBER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-201.11: OBSERVED THE DOORS FOR THE COLD HOLDING UNITS WITH NO PROTECTION FOR DOORS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C): OBSERVED LIQUID SPILLAGE INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO 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
notedCode 50Other

Official wording

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

Inspector’s notes

5-103.12 OBSERVED THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK WATER PRESSURE FROM FAUCET HEAD STILL NOT IN COMPLIANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE SHALL BE PROVIDED TO ALL FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT, AND NONFOOD EQUIPMENT THAT ARE REQUIRED TO USE WATER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), NO 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

5-502.12: OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID ON THE VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 29, 2026 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

Jul 1, 2026

Fail

9 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(C): OBSERVED LIQUID SPILLAGE INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO 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
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.12: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION IN AT HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), NO 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
notedCode 31Food source and labeling

Official wording

WATER & ICE FROM APPROVED SOURCE

Inspector’s notes

5-102.11: OBSERVED CLEAN AND WASTER WATER VALVES NOT ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED FROM AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. BLUE VALVE NOT LOCKED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR BOTH CLEAN AND WASTEWATER VALVES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRUCK AND BE ABLE TO UNLOCK AND LOCK AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. PRIORTITY 7-38-030 (C), NO CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

4-301.11: OBSERVED POWER ON VEHICLE BUT FOUND TWO DOOR COOLER AT 99F. INSTRUCTED COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST REACH AND MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, NO 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
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

4-204.112(B): OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

3-602.12: OBSERVED NO LICENSE NUMBER ON VEHICLE. INSTURCTED TO PUT LICENSE NUMBER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-201.11: OBSERVED THE DOORS FOR THE COLD HOLDING UNITS WITH NO PROTECTION FOR DOORS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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
notedCode 50Other

Official wording

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

Inspector’s notes

5-103.12 OBSERVED THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK WATER PRESSURE NOT IN COMPLIANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ADEQUATE WATER PRESSURE SHALL BE PROVIDED TO ALL FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT, AND NONFOOD EQUIPMENT THAT ARE REQUIRED TO USE WATER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), NO 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

5-502.12: OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID ON THE VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

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

License

Jun 17, 2026

Fail

11 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO LICENSE NUMBER ON VEHICLE. INSTURCTED TO PUT LICENSE NUMBER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION IN AT HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), NO 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
notedCode 31Food source and labeling

Official wording

WATER & ICE FROM APPROVED SOURCE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLEAN AND WASTER WATER VALVES NOT ABLE TO BE LOCKED FROM OUTSIDE OF TRUCK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR BOTH CLEAN AND WASTEWATER VALVES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRUCK. PRIORTITY 7-38-030 (C), NO CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO POWER ON VEHICLE. INADEQUATE REFRIGERATION ON VEHICLE. NONE OF THE COLD HOLDING OR FREEZER UNITS ON AND OPERATING AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY 7-38-005, NO 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
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SERVICE AGREEMENT AND SERVICE REPORT WITH NO DATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DATES ON ALL DOCUMENTS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (C), NO 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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE DOORS FOR THE COLD HOLDING UNITS WITH NO PROTECTION FOR DOORS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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
notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LIQUID SPILLAGE INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO 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
notedCode 50Other

Official wording

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HOT AND COLD WATER ON VEHICLE. ISNTRUCTED TO RESTORE HOT AND COLD WATER. HOT WATER FOR HANDWASHING SINK 100F AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK 110F. PRIORITY VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C), NO 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLE WITH A LID ON THE VEHICLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE, DUE TO GENERATOR ISSUES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT ON VEHICLE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 17, 2026 · Original Source

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