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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Chi Cafe, LLC

2160 S Archer Ave

Last inspected Jul 23, 2025 · 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

5 inspections

Canvass

Jul 23, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE IN MEN AND WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LOOSE DEBRIS, DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY OF FLOORS. 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 23, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 21, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jun 7, 2024

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

6-301.14: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASING SINK IN THE FRONT SMOOTHIE/ COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-501.112: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOORS AND WALLS NEAR THE REAR DISWASHING AREA AND ALONG THE SIDE OF THE CLEAR WINDOW BARRIER BETWEEN THE HOT COOKING LINE AND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES, CLEAN, SANITIZE AFFECTED SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED CLEAN SHEET TRAYS STORED ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE THE SHEET TRAYS AND REFRAIN FROM STORING CLEAN DISHWASHWARE ON THE FLOOR.

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(C): OBSERVED THE LOWER INTEROR OF THE NOODLE BOILER EQUIPMENT, STOVES, MICROWAVES AND OVENS WITH FOOD SPLATTERS, SEVERE GREASE BUILD UP AND NOT CLEAN. THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY THE SIDE OF WOK EQUIPMENT WITH GREASE ENCRUSTED AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL BUILD UP 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15: OBSERVED A SLOW DRAINING HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA ACROSS FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD. WATER FILLS UP SINK IN APPROXIMATELY 8-10 SECONDS AND SLOWLY DRAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

6-201.11: OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND FLOORS IN NEED OF REGROUTING THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP/ DISHWASHING AREA, THE AREA WHERE THE DRY INGREDIENTS ARE STORED, THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS, NEAR THE HOT WATER TANK. OBSERVED STANDING WATER IN THE OPENINGS OF THE FLOOR TILES IN THE MENTIONED AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND REGROUT ALL MENTIONED FLOORS AND WERE ELSE IS NEEDED 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, Jun 7, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

May 31, 2024

Fail

8 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASING SINK IN THE FRONT SMOOTHIE/ COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOORS AND WALLS NEAR THE REAR DISWASHING AREA AND ALONG THE SIDE OF THE CLEAR WINDOW BARRIER BETWEEN THE HOT COOKING LINE AND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES, CLEAN, SANITIZE AFFECTED SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. ALSO, OBSERVED THE DEEP-FRYING UNITS FILLED WITH GREASE NOT COVERED WHILE THE FACILITY IS NOT OPEN AND OPERATING AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOP; FOR EXAMPLE, INSIDE OF A BIN AND KEEP FOOD ITEMS COVERED WHILE NOT IN USE TO AVOID CONTAMINATION.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED CLEAN SHEET TRAYS STORED ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE THE SHEET TRAYS AND REFRAIN FROM STORING CLEAN DISHWASHWARE ON THE FLOOR.

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

OBSERVED THE LOWER INTEROR OF THE NOODLE BOILER EQUIPMENT, STOVES, MICROWAVES AND OVENS WITH FOOD SPLATTERS, SEVERE GREASE BUILD UP AND NOT CLEAN. THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY THE SIDE OF WOK EQUIPMENT WITH GREASE ENCRUSTED AND GRIME. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL BUILD UP 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A SLOW DRAINING HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA ACROSS FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD. WATER FILLS UP SINK IN APPROXIMATELY 8-10 SECONDS AND SLOWLY DRAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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
notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND FLOORS IN NEED OF REGROUTING THROUGHOUT THE REAR FOOD PREP/ DISHWASHING AREA, THE AREA WHERE THE DRY INGREDIENTS ARE STORED, THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS, NEAR THE HOT WATER TANK. OBSERVED STANDING WATER IN THE OPENINGS OF THE FLOOR TILES IN THE MENTIONED AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND REGROUT ALL MENTIONED FLOORS AND WERE ELSE IS NEEDED 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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 04/05/2023, REPORT #2573731 #49) INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE AND BUILD UP, INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FREEZERS, BOTTOM AREA OF FRYERS TO REMOVE HEAVY GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF HOT HOLDING UNITS. #INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, SINKS AND ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE GREASE, DIRT AND PARTICLES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, HOT WATER MACHINE FOR TEA, SINKS, ALL CEILING VENTS IN DINING AREA, KITCHEN AND WASHROOMS TO REMOVE DUST AND INTERIORS OF LIGHT SHIELDS IN KITCHEN TO REMOVE DUST AND PARTICLES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: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, May 31, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

May 15, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 15, 2024 · Original Source

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