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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Ceres Cafe

141 W Jackson Blvd

Last inspected Jan 13, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

Jan 13, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: CHOPPED CHICKEN 48.4 F, BLACK BEANS 48.7 F, CHOPPED AND SLICED TOMATOES 48.9 F. ALL PRODUCTS WAS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED BY MANAGER AT THIS TIME. TOTAL COST $300- AND 20-POUNDS WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

PREP COOLER WITH IMPROPER AIR TEMPERATURE 46.8 F. COOLERS BEING TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT AND NOT USE UNTIL TAG IS REMOVED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 13, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 5, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED AN ICE SCOOP BEING STORED IN ICE AT THE ICE BIN LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ICE SCOOP PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SHELVING UNITS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEBRIS AROUND THE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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, Jun 5, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 28, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

1 recorded violation

notedCode 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

FOUND CONTINUED NON- COMPLIANCE FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2585183 CONDUCTED ON 11/14/2023 . THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS WERE NOT CORRECTED. 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY . 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, Mar 28, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 14, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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 14, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 6, 2023

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(A) OBSERVED A BLACK SUBSTANCE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED ON THE WALLS OF THE ICE MACHINE AND ON AND AROUND THE ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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 25Food temperature

Official wording

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

Inspector’s notes

3-603.11 OBSERVED CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURES ON ITEMS THAT CAN NOT BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW SUCH AS; ALL CHICKEN WING ITEMS, FRIED CALAMARI, TURKEY BURGER, CHICKEN AND SHRIMP OPTIONS FOR ALL SALADS AND BUDDHA BOWLS, GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST SANDWICHES AND FRIED FILET OF SOLE SANDWICH. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE FOR ALL SAID ITEMS AND ONLY ALLOW A CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE FOR ITEMS THAT CAN ONLY BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (BEEF) ON FACILITY'S MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER TOILET ROOMS, BAR HAND WASHING SINK AND FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12 OBSERVED AN ICE SCOOP BEING STORED IN ICE AT THE ICE BIN LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ICE SCOOP PROPERLY AT ALL TIMES.

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

4-601.11(B) OBSERVED THE MEAT SLICER WITH AN ACCUMULATED DEBRIS BY THE SLICER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

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 6, 2023 · Original Source

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