Restaurant · Chicago, IL

La Catedral Cafe

Name: La Catedral Cafe
Address: 2500 S Christiana Ave, Chicago, IL

2500 S Christiana Ave

Last inspected Aug 27, 2026 · 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

8 inspections

Short Form Complaint

Aug 27, 2026

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA NEAR WATER HEATER AND FURNACE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL DEAD ROACHES IN BASEMENT.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS ON COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE DOOR GASKETS ON COOLERS.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAK UNDER DRAINBOARD OF LARGE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR 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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.

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 OPENINGS IN WALLS ALONG CORNERS IN PREP AND WASHROOM AREAS. OBSERVED CEILING VENTS NOT SECURE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN 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, Aug 27, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Jun 3, 2026

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 3, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

May 27, 2026

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FOOD AND NON-FOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.

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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH, LIDS NOT TIGHT-FITTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA. DUMPSTER SHALL BE COVERED AND LIDS SHALL BE TIGHT-FITTING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ALONG BASEBOARDS IN 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, May 27, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 21, 2026

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT FRONT HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA AND HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR REAR WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

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

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 54Facility maintenance

Official wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON GROUND AROUND DUMPSTERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA.

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, Apr 21, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 30, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE PREP COOLERS IN THE KITCHEN.

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

FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE PREP AREA TO REMOVE DEBRIS AND SPILLS.

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

MUST CLEAN THE HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE THE DUST AND GREASE.

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, Oct 30, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Dec 6, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

2 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES: IN PREP COOLER: GREEN SALSA 54.9F, RED SALSA 48.2.2F, MILK AND HALF AND A HALF MIXTURE FOR FRENCH TOAST 48.2 F. MANAGER DISCARDED 5.3 GALLONS OF PRODUCT WORTH $35.00. MUST HAVE COLD-HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.12 OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS IN BASEMENT AND KITCHEN. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.

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, Dec 6, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Dec 4, 2023

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

TORN DOOR GASKET ON UPRIGHT 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTD TO REPAIR 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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES: IN PREP COOLER: COOKED CHICKEN 60.9F, GREEN SALSA 50.9F, RED SALSA 50.2F IN WALK IN COOLER: NUMEROUS CONTAINERS OF COOKED CHORIZO AND POTATOES 46.6F (DATED 11/28/23) IN UPRIGHT 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT: COOKED JALAPENOS 50.9F (DATED YESTERDAY). ALL SAID ITEMS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 20LBS, $100 VALUE INSTD TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY 7-38-005

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

EXTERIOR SIDES AND INTERIOR BOTTOM CABINET OF FRYER NOT CLEAN, EXCEESIVE GREASE ACCUMULATION. INSTD 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, Dec 4, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass