Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Meli Cafe On Dearborn

Name: Meli Cafe On Dearborn
Address: 500 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL

500 S Dearborn St

Last inspected Apr 17, 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

6 inspections

Canvass

Apr 17, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DAMAGED LID AND DOOR ON 2-DOOR REACH IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

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 RAW SHELLED EGGS HOLDING AT TOP RAIL OF COLD HOLDING UNIT WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 46.5F AND SLICED TOMATOES COLD HOLDING AT 49.8F. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED $64 OF PRODUCT. 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 33Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TOP RAIL OF 2-DOOR REACH IN COLD HOLD UNIT AT 46.3F; BOTTOM REFRIGERATION OF UNIT MEASURED AT 40.4F USING LONG STEM THERMOMETER. INSTRUCTED TO NOT USE EQUIPMENT UNTIL REPAIRED. INSTRUCTED TO UTILIZE SECOND REACH IN FOR COLD HOLDING UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF DUST ON FILTERS ON HOOD IN REAR KITCHEN. 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 issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 17, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

May 21, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

8 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 8:30AM TO 9:00AM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN, EGGS WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. AT 9:00AM CERTIFIED MANAGER KARINA BARRAGAN ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMODITY NAME(SUGAR, OATMEAL, ETC). INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

FOUND DEAD ROACHES THROUGHOUT DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE, 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 41Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

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 A MINOR LEAK AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT AND HANDWASHING SINK AT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REAIR 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 AROUND DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 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 issues

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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 BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN THE MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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, May 21, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Feb 5, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

4-201.11 FOUND THAT ALL THREE BUILT-IN STOPPERS LOCATED AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ARE INOPERABLE AND UNABLE TO HOLD WATER. MUST 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Feb 5, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jan 24, 2025

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 15Other

Official wording

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD STORAGE PRACTICIES. OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN STORED OVER POTATOES. FOOD SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CROSS CONTAMINATION BY ARRANGING ALL FOODS TO BE STORED , HELD AND DISPLAYED IN ORDER OF MINIMUM COOKING TEMOERATURES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. ITEMS STORED CORRECTLY AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

FOUND DEAD ROACHES THROUGHOUT KITCHEN UNDER COOLERS, HANDWASHING SINKS, AND AGAINST WALLS. MUST REMOVE, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

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

FOUND THAT ALL THREE BUILT-IN STOPPERS LOCATED AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ARE INOPERABLE AND UNABLE TO HOLD WATER. MUST 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 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

FOUND HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LEAKING FROM DRAIN PIPE AT ENTRANCE OF DISH MACHINE. ALSO NOTED WATER LEAKING FROM SPRAYER BASIN. MUST 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 24, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 1, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

Bulk food containers ( sugar, salt) not labeled. Instructed to label and maintain.

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 39Contamination

Official wording

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector’s notes

Deli cups used as a scoop for bulk food. Instructed to use proper scoops.

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 43Equipment and utensils

Official wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s notes

Ice scoops placed on top of ice cubes at bar, instructed to keep off.

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, Oct 1, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

May 6, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

High Temp dish machine not sanitizing at final rinse, 120f final rinse temp, no Chemical sanitizer provided neither. Machine was being used during inspection. Instructed manager to provide proper final rinse temp or chemical sanitizer. Priority violation 7-38-025. Machine is tagged not allowed to use. must contact the office of CDPH when repaired.

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

Using deli cups as a 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

Heavy dust noted at fan covers in walk-in cooler, 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 6, 2024 · Original Source