Canvass
May 7, 2026
Out of Business
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 7, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Windy City Cafe
1060-1062 W Chicago Ave
Last inspected May 7, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
The department’s records list this business as closed or out of business.
Out of Business
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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 inspectionsCanvass
May 8, 2025
Pass w/ Conditions
4 recorded violations
notedCode 39Contamination
Official wording
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
Inspector’s notes
Brooms and dust pans stored next to clean utensils shelves, instructed to keep away to prevent contamination.
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 contaminationnotedCode 48Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
Inspector’s notes
No sanitizer solution test strips on site for low temp dish washing machine, instructed to obtain. 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
Meat slicer not clean behind blade, food debris noted. 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 problemsnotedCode 56Facility maintenance
Official wording
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
Inspector’s notes
Inadequate lighting in walk-in cooler. Instructed to increase light intensity.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 8, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Jun 7, 2024
Pass
3 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
6-501.112 OBSERVED A DEAD MOUSE ON THE FLOOR OF THE LARGE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD RODENTS.
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 insectsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.
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
6-501.14 CLEAN THE GREASE AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 7, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Jun 4, 2024
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
6-501.112 OBSERVED A DEAD MOUSE ON THE FLOOR OF THE LARGE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD RODENTS.
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 insectsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
4-602.13 CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.
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
6-501.14 CLEAN THE GREASE AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
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 59Other
Official wording
PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
Inspector’s notes
8-404.13(B)(3) PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2595258 ON 5/28/24 NOT CORRECTED: 38 - OBSERVED THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT MAINTAINED. NO CURRENT PEST INSPECTION REPORTS FROM THE PAST YEAR WERE PROVIDED IN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTION REPORTS FROM THE PAST YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 4, 2024 · Original Source
Canvass
May 28, 2024
Fail
4 recorded violations
notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (SOUP AT 165F) WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS PREPARED OR SERVED. 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 issuesnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT MAINTAINED. NO CURRENT PEST INSPECTION REPORTS FROM THE PAST YEAR WERE PROVIDED IN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTION REPORTS FROM THE PAST YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). 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 insectsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER AND BASEMENT 1-DOOR BREAD COOLER AT THE BOTTOM SHELF.
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
CLEAN THE GREASE AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 28, 2024 · Original Source