Restaurant · Chicago, IL

City Cafe Inc.

Name: City Cafe Inc.
Address: 3234 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

3234 N Pulaski Rd

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

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

4 inspections

Canvass

Jan 6, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 8:55AM TO 9:15AM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS EGGS WERE PREPARED. AT 9:15AM CERTIFIED MANAGER PEDRO VALDEZ ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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 23Food source and labeling

Official wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOOD ITEMS (COOKED RICE, COOKED POTATOES, ETC.)IN COOLERS WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE LABELS (NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS) ON ALL FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS AND MAINTAIN. MANAGER CORRECTED ON SITE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER IN THE DIASH WASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.

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 SOILED MOP HEAD 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, Jan 6, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jan 13, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILDING CONDENSATE WATER LINE IN BASEMENT AREA WITH SMALL CONDENSATE WATER DRIP DISCHARGING ONTO FLOOR NEAR FLOOR DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR RE-ROUTE POTABLE WATER CONDENSATE LINE TO DISCHARGE DIRECTLY INTO POINT OF DISPOSAL AND ELIMINATE POTABLE WATER DRIP ONTO BASEMENT FLOOR 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE ENCLOSED BEVERAGE BOTTLES AND OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS STORED ON SHELF NEXT TO CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND ABOVE HANDWASHING SINK AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DESIGNATED AREA FOR STORAGE OF EMPLOYEE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND PERSONAL ITEMS WHERE CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT OR FOOD CANNOT OCCUR 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, Jan 13, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 6, 2025

Fail

5 recorded violations

notedCode 1Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PERSON-IN-CHARGE PRESENT ON-SITE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR UP-TO-DATE CERTIFICATE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE PERSON-IN-CHARGE HAS CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING OR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE HANDLED AND SERVED (EGGS, PROTEINS, CUT VEGETABLES) AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE FOOD EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES OF FOOD OPERATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION DATED APRIL 1ST, 2024 REPORT #2591852: VIOLATION #57 OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES ON-SITE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES AND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON-IN-CHARGE TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN ALL PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS. 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, Jan 6, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 1, 2024

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES 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.

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT ABOVE CHEST FREEZER WIN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT SO THAT IT REMAINS SMOOTH 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS WITH NO LABELS IN THE REAR PREP AREA NEAR TWO DOOR FREEZER. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE LABELS WITH FOOD NAME ON ALL FOOD CONTAINERS. MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 1, 2024 · Original Source