Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Lula Cafe

Name: Lula Cafe
Address: 2537-2543 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL

2537-2543 N Kedzie Ave

Last inspected Mar 19, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Complaint

Mar 19, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED APPROXIMALTELY 4.5 LBS OF COOKED PASTA (INDIVIDUALLY BAGGED) STORED IN REFRIGERATION UNIT IN MAIN PREP AREA AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION,RANGING BETWEEN 49-53F. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS @41F AND BELOW AT ALL TIMES. 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 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 issues

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BROKEN WALL COVING IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA WHERE WALK IN COOLER IS LOCATED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 19, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 5, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

DAIRY COOLER AT COFFEE STATION MISSING A THERMOMETER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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 44Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Deli cups not air dried after washing and stacking, Instructed manager to air dry all multi-use utensils.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Using Deli cups as a bulk food scoop, Instructed to use proper scoops.

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

Bottom shelf of door cooler at first floor kitchen pooling water mixed with food debris, 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

Using cloth rags t wrap around cold water lines in basement prep kitchen, instructed to use proper insulation.

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, Nov 5, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 18, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO HANDWASING SIGNAGE AT PREPARATION AREAS.MUST PROVIDE.

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

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

FOODHANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS.MUST PROVIDE.

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 issues

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ESPRESSO MACHINE AND DRIP COFFEE MACHINE.MUST PROVIDE WHERE DEVICES CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.

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

FOUND OUTSIDE DUMPSTER AREAS NOT CLEAN.(DUMPSTERS OVERFLOWING/GARBAGE SPILLAGE).PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.MANAGEMENT CLEANED DUMPSTER AREAS DURING INSPECTION.

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 18, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Nov 6, 2023

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11 OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER AT THE END OF THE BAR. MANAGEMENT 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 6, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 30, 2023

Fail

2 recorded violations

notedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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 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 AT THE END OF THE BAR. MANAGEMENT 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 30, 2023 · Original Source