Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Erie Cafe

Name: Erie Cafe
Address: 536 W Erie St, Chicago, IL

536 W Erie St

Last inspected Apr 14, 2026 · 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

Canvass

Apr 14, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LARGE CUTTING BOARDS IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA WITH LARGE CUTTING GROOVES AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO FLIP OR REPLACE AS NEEDED AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOODS BEING PREPARED.

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

OBSERVED THE FLOOR OF THE LARGE WALK IN COOLING UNIT IN THE BASEMENT IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING UNDER SHELVING AND ALONG THE WALLS. 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

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREA IN NEED OF A DETAIL CLEANING. THE KITCHEN DISH WASHING AREA...THE BASEMENT PREP AREA...THE REAR BAR AREA...THE FRONT MAIN BAR AREA IN THE CORNERS NEAR ENTRANCE...INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 14, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 21, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PLATEWARE STORED FACE UP ON SHELVING IN PREP AREA IN MAIN KITCHEN DIRECTLY UNDER A/C VENTS. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION FROM DUST BUILDING UP ON VENTS.

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 FLOOR IN THE LARGE WALK IN LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT WITH A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND STANDING WATER UNDER DHELVING ALONG THE WALL. 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

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK AT THE COLD WATER KNOB OF THE FAUCET OF THE RIGHT HAND WASHING SINK IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM. 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 A BUILD UP OF DIRT, DUST AND DEBRIS UNDER AND AROUND THE DEEP FREEZER AREA IN THE BASMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL 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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF DUST ON THE VENTS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL VENTS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES BELOW.

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, Mar 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 25, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE WALL BASE TILE AT THE BANQUET BAR AREA RIGHT OF THE HAND WASHING SINK BROKEN AND COMING LOOSE FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE BREEDING AND HARBORING SPACE FOR ANY INSECTS.

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 25, 2024 · Original Source