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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Caravanserai Coffee Bar

2901 W Belmont Ave

Last inspected Aug 19, 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

3 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

Aug 19, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS STORED ON SHELF ABOVE SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES (NAPKINS, INDIVIDUALLY-WRAPPED PLASTICWARE). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR THE STORAGE OF EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS THAT DOES NOT POSE RISK OF CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT, OR UTENSILS 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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK DRY FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE FRONT COFFEE BAR AREA NOT LABELED WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD STORED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL BULK DRY FOOD CONTAINERS WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD STORED AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DRY TEA BAGS STORED IN ORIGINAL BOX DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE SMALL STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE TEA BAGS AND STORE ALL FOOD AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS 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
notedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WATER HEATER CONDENSATE WATER COLLECTION DISH NOT PROPERLY ROUTED DIRECTLY TO FLOOR DRAIN IN THE REAR BOILER ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO ROUTE ALL WASTE WATER DIRECTLY TO POINT OF DISCHARGE INTO PLUMBING SYSTEM 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 19, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Aug 11, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 28Chemicals

Official wording

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS STORED ON SHELF ABOVE SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES (NAPKINS, INDIVIDUALLY-WRAPPED PLASTICWARE). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR THE STORAGE OF EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS THAT DOES NOT POSE RISK OF CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT, OR UTENSILS 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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK DRY FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE FRONT COFFEE BAR AREA NOT LABELED WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD STORED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL BULK DRY FOOD CONTAINERS WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD STORED AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DRY TEA BAGS STORED IN ORIGINAL BOX DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE SMALL STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE TEA BAGS AND STORE ALL FOOD AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS 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
notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION TEST KIT PROVIDED ON-SITE FOR USE WITH THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION TEST KIT FOR ALL CHEMICAL SANITIZERS USED IN FOOD OPERATIONS ON-SITE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 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 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED WATER HEATER CONDENSATE WATER COLLECTION DISH NOT PROPERLY ROUTED DIRECTLY TO FLOOR DRAIN IN THE REAR BOILER ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO ROUTE ALL WASTE WATER DIRECTLY TO POINT OF DISCHARGE INTO PLUMBING SYSTEM 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 6, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.

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, Dec 6, 2024 · Original Source

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