Canvass
Apr 24, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 24, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Little Branch Cafe
1251 S Prairie Ave
Last inspected Apr 24, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
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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 inspectionsCanvass
Sep 17, 2025
Pass
2 recorded violations
notedCode 37Food source and labeling
Official wording
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 17, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Jun 28, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
9 recorded violations
notedCode 8Handwashing
Official wording
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED
Inspector’s notes
OWNER/MANAGER NOT PROPERLY WASHING HER HANDS IN THE REQUIRED DESIGNATED HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED NOT TO WASH HANDS IN THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROPERLY WASH HANDS WITH SOAP IN THE HAND WASHING SINK ONLY. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED
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 problemsnotedCode 10Handwashing
Official wording
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
Inspector’s notes
REAR HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE. DISH WASHING LIQUID AND UTENSILS STORED INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE ALL HAND WASHING SINKS ACCESSIBLE AND PROPERLY STOCKED. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(c) VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED
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 problemsnotedCode 40Employee health and hygiene
Official wording
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
Inspector’s notes
FEMALE FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesnotedCode 43Equipment and utensils
Official wording
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
Inspector’s notes
MULTI USE KNIVES NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE KNIVES IN A KNIFE RACK WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
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 issuesnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
INTERIOR LOWER SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS AND STORAGE RACKS IN REAR PREP AREA WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
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 problemsnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
WALLS BEHIND THE COOLERS/COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD/GREASE AND DIRT. FLOORS IN THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
VENTILATION PANELS IN REAR PREP WITH GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN 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 issuesnotedCode 57Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
Inspector’s notes
FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CURRENT CERTIFICATES.
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 issuesnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
CFM WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CFMs OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 28, 2024 · Original Source