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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Cafe Nordstrom

55 E Grand Ave

Last inspected Mar 16, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

7 inspections

Canvass

Mar 16, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

SOME FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES HAVE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE VALID FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES.

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

OBSERVED SOME FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE SOME FLOOR DRAINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP DRIPPING FROM VENTILATION HOOD. MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD 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, Mar 16, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Apr 28, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

NOTED COMMERCIAL HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN DISH AREA MISSING THE MACHINE'S DATA PLATE AND OTHER MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS.

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 28, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 17, 2025

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING SINKS NOT MAINTAINED WITH HOT WATER AT86.4F: IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF HOT WATER AT HAND SINK IN REAR PREP INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE HOT WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT LEAST 100F. PRIORITY 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
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED NORDSTROM ESPRESSO BAR INSPECTION #2615957 1ST FLOOR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE IN USE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. EQUIPMENT MUST PROPERLY SANITIZE AT A MINIMUM OF 50 PPM.ECOLAB TECH ON SITE DISH MACHINE NOW READING 50 PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED AS LINER ON FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

NOTED COMMERCIAL HIGH TEMP DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN DISH AREA MISSING THE MACHINE'S DATA PLATE AND OTHER MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS.

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 BROKEN FLOOR BASE TILES AND HOLE IN WALL UNDER DISH MACHINE IN DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #2252726 CONDUCTED ON 3/19/24. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED: (#55) 6-201.11: Kitchen floor tiles in poor repair, missing grout between tiles in several spots trapping dirt and wastewater, instructed to re-grout tiles and maintain. MUST CORRECT CORE VIOLATIONS BY THE DATE ON THE REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 17, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 17, 2025

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 17, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 8, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FLOOR BENEATH COOLING EQUIPMENT AND DUMP SINK IN BAR AREA TO BE SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOIL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND OTHER PHYSICAL FACILITIES AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PROPERLY-COVERED EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES STORED ALONG BEVERAGE PREPARATION COUNTERS NEAR FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES AND PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGE STORAGE BELOW AND AWAY FROM FOOD 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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING HANDWASHING SINK SIGNAGE INFORMING FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS STORED ALONG LIQUOR RACK NEXT TO BEVERAGES AT THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS TO DESIGNATED AREAS BELOW AND AWAY FROM FOOD, EQUIPMENT, AND SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF SALT AND DRY SPICES USED FOR BEVERAGES STORED WITHOUT ADEQUATE COVER IN AREA OF BAR EXPOSED TO FREQUENT SPLASH AND OTHER CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER FOR FOOD CONTAINERS WHEN NOT IN-USE TO PREVENT OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION AND 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 8, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 19, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

Insulation covering for walk-in cooler cooling lines are in poor repair, dust and loose tape, instructed to remove 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

Kitchen floor tiles in poor repair, missing grout between tiles in several spots trapping dirt and waste water, instructed to re-grout tiles 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

Inadequate lighting in walk-in cooler, instructed to provide additional lights

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, Mar 19, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 6, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 6, 2023 · Original Source

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