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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Society Coffee

1816 N Wells St

Last inspected Jul 10, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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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

3 inspections

Short Form Complaint

Jul 10, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

5 recorded violations

notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

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 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

NOTED EVIDENCE OF ANIMALS (DOGS) BROUGHT INSIDE THE PREMISE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THAT ARE NOT SERVICE DOGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT: NO ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT UNLESS WITH PROOF THAT THE ANIMAL IS A SERVICE DOG. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-40-060. CITATION ISSUED.

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 PLASTIC PROTECTIVE LAYER ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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

NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM PIPE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONE WALL ON SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO HAVE AN UNFINISHED BRICKWORK ON WALL BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND PREP SURFACES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACE OF THE UNFINISHED BRICK WORK.

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, Jul 10, 2025 · Original Source

License

Apr 16, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 3Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

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 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

NOTED RAW WOOD ON UNDERSIDE OF ALL COUNTERS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND PREP AREA TOPS. MULTIPLE SOURCES OF MOISTURE AND WATER AND EQUIPMENT PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.

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 THREE (3) PIECES OF EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA TO NOT HAVE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICEABLE FOR EACH MACHINE: COFFEE MAKER, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE/INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ALL.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED ONE WALL ON SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO HAVE AN UNFINISHED BRICKWORK ON WALL BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND PREP SURFACES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACE OF THE UNFINISHED BRICK WORK.

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, Apr 16, 2025 · Original Source

License

Mar 7, 2025

Not Ready

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 7, 2025 · Original Source

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