Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Nohea Cafe

Name: Nohea Cafe
Address: 1312 W Madison, Chicago, IL

1312 W Madison

Last inspected May 19, 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

4 inspections

Canvass

May 19, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE/DISPLAY. INSTD TO STORE STORE HANDLE UP (INVERT)

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

PLASTIC LINING ON EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. MESH LINING ON BOTTOM SHELVES OF PREP TABLES AND SHELVING. INSTD TO REMOVE PLASTIC LINING AND MESH LINING SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE. RUSTY SURFACE UNDERNEATH MESH LINING ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN. RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDERNEATH FRONT COUNTER. INSTD TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD 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

UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE. INSTD TO BE ABLE TO LOCATE OR INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE 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 52Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED

Inspector’s notes

ICE MACHINE DRAIN LINE APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES INTO FLOOR DRAIN WITH EXCESSIVE BLACK SLIME/WASTER ON LINE. INSTD TO PROPERLY DRAIN AND MAINTAIN ACCORDING TO LAW

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, May 19, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

May 8, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

3 recorded violations

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE 1-DOOR TRUE PREP COOLER. OBSERVED EGGS AT 60F, TUNA SALAD AT 44-47F, CHEESES AT 47F, MAYONNAISE AT 47F, VARIOUS SALAD DRESSINGS AT 44-48F, SALSA AT 50F, AND SOUR CREAM AT 54F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE WOODEN FLOORING BUCKLING UNDERNEATH THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE COFFEE BAR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE FLOOR SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY 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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 8, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass Re-Inspection

Jul 9, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDES DOCUMENTATION.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 9, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Jul 2, 2024

Fail

6 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BLACK AND PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE BUILD UP ON INSIDE INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ONTO ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.MUST REMOVE BUILD UP, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. 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 22Food temperature

Official wording

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s notes

NOTED IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE FOOD DISPLAY COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: SHREDDED LETTUCE 52.8 F . MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 8 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $40.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

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 IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 48.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. 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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

ALLERGEN LABELS ARE MISSING ON FOOD PACKAGED IN RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. OBSERVED ALLERGEN LABELS MISSING ON PRE-PACKAGED FOODS IN THE COOLER LOCATED NEAR SERVICE COUNTER. FOODS INCLUDE PASTA SALAD AND POTATO. MUST LABEL THE NAME OF THE FOOD SOURCES OF ANY MAJOR FOOD ALLERGENS (I.E., MILK, EGGS, WHEAT, SOY, ETC.) ON THE CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. FOODS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM SELF-SERVICE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

NOTED DUSTY VENTILATION COVER ON THE WALL ABOVE BATHROOMS. 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDES DOCUMENTATION.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 2, 2024 · Original Source