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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Indie Cafe

5951-5953 N Broadway

Last inspected Nov 5, 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

6 inspections

Canvass

Nov 5, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE ICE BIN INTERIOR IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND 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
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEAD ROACH IN FRONT SERVICE AREA IN BETWEEN COLD STORAGE AND WALL AS WELL AS IN OPEN PIPES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE, 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 FOOD CONTAINERS, BOTTLES, BOXES, ETC STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THROUGHOUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN FRONT SERVICE AREA AND IN WAREWASHING AREA TO BE SLOW-DRAINING. 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 FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, INTERIOR OF PREP DISH AREA, AROUND DISH MACHINE, PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP AND/OR GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND 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
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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, Nov 5, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Sep 18, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 18, 2025 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Dec 19, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 19, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 30, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 30, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 23, 2024

Fail

9 recorded violations

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

NOTED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES' ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

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 15Other

Official wording

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED RAW ANIMAL ORIGIN CHICKEN AND PORK IN TWO LARGE POTS BEING STORED DIRECTLY ABOVE RTE COOKED NOODLES INSIDE A TALL REACH-IN COOLER. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD STORAGE OF RAW MEATS. ALL NOODLES DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED THE CHEMICAL DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT DISPENSING SANITIZER WHILE DISHES WERE BEING WASHED. 0 PPM CHLORINE NOTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND PROPERLY DISPENSES CHLORINE SANITIZER AND C.D.P.H CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION AND TAG REMOVAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

SUSHI PREP WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE BAR AREA AND REAR BAR MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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

MUST NOT USE PLASTIC WRAP AS A SHIELD/GUARD ON ALL COOLER HANDLES.METAL RACK SHELVING ON THE COOKS LINE AT THE HAND SINK WITH ENCRUSTED GREASE.----THE TOP OF THE DISH WASHING MACHINE NOTED WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.---MUST NOT USE PAPER TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING ON THE COOKS LINE. SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. NOTED METAL SHELVING UNDER THE METAL PREP TABLES ACROSS FROM THE COOKS LINE WITH RUST AND IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REMOVE ALL RUST AND MAKE SMOOTH, 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

NOTED EXCESSIVE GREASE ON THE WALLS AND PIPING BEHIND THE COOKS LINE AND NEXT TO THE HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REMOVE ALL GREASE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOORS ON THE COOKS LINE.----NOTED WALLS THROUGHOUT THE REAR DRY/REFRIGERATION STORAGE ROOM WITH OPEN GAPS, LARGE CRACKS/CREVICES, PEELING WALLPAPER AND HOLES. MUST REPAIR TO BE SEALED, SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE REAR DRY STORAGE/REFRIGERATION ROOM. MUST REPLACE.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANGER'S.

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 60Other

Official wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s notes

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 11-2-23 REPORT #2584510 NOT CORRECTED.#43- NOTED SERVING PLATES AND BOWLS ON SHELVES AT THE PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.#47- NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNITS. #55- NOTED DIRTY AND DUST VENTS AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. 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, Oct 23, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 2, 2023

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS FOOD STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

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

NOTED DIRTY AND DUST VENTS AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREAS. 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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

NOTED SERVING PLATES AND BOWLS ON SHELVES AT THE PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 2, 2023 · Original Source

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