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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Chefs Sara's Cafe

7201 S Exchange Ave

Last inspected May 6, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.

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Out of Business

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Canvass

May 6, 2026

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2026 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Jan 22, 2026

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 22, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 27, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A LEAK FROM THE CEILING BY THE OFFICE DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK FROM CEILING.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 27, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Feb 9, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

FOOD HANLDERS NOT WEARING PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOODS.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUST ON THE VENTILATION FAN ON THE CEILING IN THE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS IN CORNER AREAS AND INSIDE OF THE FURNACE CLOSET IN CORNER AREAS.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 9, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 13, 2023

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

WATER DAMAGE TO COUNTER AROUND HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT

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

ALL STORAGE SHELVES IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL EQUIPMENT AND CLEAN SHELVES. CORRECT 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

WALLS IN REAR AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING BEHIND REACH IN COOLER TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 13, 2023 · Original Source

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