Complaint
Aug 18, 2026
In compliance
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Detroit Health Department, Aug 18, 2026 · Original Source
Food Service Establishment · Detroit, MI
J's Cafe
20853 Grand River Ave
Last inspected Aug 18, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
In compliance
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
3 inspectionsRoutine Inspection
May 27, 2026
Not in compliance
3 recorded violations
criticalCode 3-501.14Food temperature
Official wording
(A) Cooked POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) shall be cooled: (1) Within 2 hours, from 135ºF to 70ºF; and (P) (2) Within 4 hours, from 70ºF to 41ºF or less (P) (B) POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41F or less. (P) (C) POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD) received in compliance with LAWS allowing a temperature above 41ºF during shipment from the supplier shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41ºF or less. (P)
Inspector’s notes
From 135 degrees f to 70 degrees F for more than 2 hours
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 temperaturemajorCode 3-501.15Food temperature
Official wording
(A) Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under § 3-501.14 by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of FOOD being cooled: (1) Placing the FOOD in shallow pans; (Pf) (2) Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; (Pf) (3) Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; (Pf) (4) Stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; (Pf) (5) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; (Pf) (6) Adding ice as an ingredient; (Pf) or (7) Other effective methods. (Pf) (B) When placed in cooling or cold holding EQUIPMENT, FOOD containers in which FOOD is being cooled shall be: (1) Arranged in the EQUIPMENT to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and (2) Loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination as specified under Subparagraph 3-305.11(A)(2), during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the FOOD.
Inspector’s notes
Improperly
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 temperaturecriticalCode 2-301.14Handwashing
Official wording
FOOD EMPLOYEES shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms as specified under § 2-301.12 immediately before engaging in FOOD preparation including working with exposed FOOD, clean EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS, and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES (P) and: (A) After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms; (P) (B) After using the toilet room; (P) (C) After caring for or handling SERVICE ANIMALS or aquatic animals as specified in ¶ 2-403.11(B); (P). (D) Except as specified in ¶ 2-401.11(B), after coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking; (P) (E) After handling soiled EQUIPMENT or UTENSILS; (P) (F) During FOOD preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks; (P) (G) When switching between working with raw FOOD and working with READY-TO-EAT FOOD; (P) (H) Before donning gloves for working with FOOD; (P) and (I) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. (P)
Inspector’s notes
Did not wash hands
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.
More about handwashing problemsOfficial record from Detroit Health Department, May 27, 2026 · Original Source
Preopening/Other
Dec 9, 2025
In compliance
1 recorded violation
minorCode 4-402.11Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
EQUIPMENT that is fixed because it is not EASILY MOVABLE shall be installed so that it is spaced to allow access for cleaning along the sides, behind, and above the EQUIPMENT or sealed as required, COUNTER-MOUNTED EQUIPMENT that is not EASILY MOVABLE shall be installed to allow cleaning of the EQUIPMENT and areas underneath and around the EQUIPMENT .
Inspector’s notes
Not sealed to adjoining
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 problemsOfficial record from Detroit Health Department, Dec 9, 2025 · Original Source
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