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Restaurant · Minneapolis, MN

Happy Cafe #124

200 Lake St W

Last inspected Dec 22, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Routine

Dec 22, 2025

Complete

Official score: 100 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

Inspector’s notes

The facility still does not have a CFPM. At least one employee must take a food safety class and submit their certificate and application to MDH to become a MN CFPM. Visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/cfpm/index.html for more information.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1475AFacility maintenance

Official wording

Provide sufficient mechanical tempered make-up air and exhaust ventilation to keep rooms free of grease, excessive heat, steam condensation, vapors, obnoxious or disagreeable odors, smoke, and fumes according to State Building and Mechanical codes.

Inspector’s notes

Cooking of raw chicken was observed during the inspection. There was also raw beef in the reach in cooler. This facility is not equipped with exhaust ventilation that is required to remove heat, smoke, and grease laden vapors. Discontinue the cooking of products other than Malawa or reheating pre cooked food items.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1040BWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Keep the plumbing system in good repair.

Inspector’s notes

The 3 compartment sink faucet was leaking badly and needs to be repaired.

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 Minneapolis Health Department, Dec 22, 2025 · Original Source

Follow-Up

Jan 13, 2025

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

Inspector’s notes

The facility still needs a certified food manager. Visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/cfpm/howto.html for more information and to find classes offered in multiple languages.

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
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1445Handwashing

Official wording

Keep at each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks one of: • A supply of disposable towels • A continuous towel system • An approved air temperature hand drying device

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 problems
minorCode MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

Styrofoam is still being used. Attached is information about the Green to Go Ordinance.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Jan 13, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Dec 18, 2024

Complete

Official score: 86 · Understand this area’s scale

13 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

Inspector’s notes

There is still no CFPM working at the store. Visit the MDH site form more information about classes. https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/cfpm/index.html

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
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0040COther

Official wording

Keep a log to record employee illness symptoms. Have it available upon request.

Inspector’s notes

No employee illness log was being used at the time of the inspection. Visit our City website to view and print an employee illness log.https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/business-assistance/run/food-safety/employee-illness/#d.en.173360

In plain English

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

More about other finding
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1440Handwashing

Official wording

Have hand soap at all handwashing sinks.

Inspector’s notes

No soap was available at the hand sink. Dishsoap was used for washing 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 problems
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1445Handwashing

Official wording

Keep at each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks one of: • A supply of disposable towels • A continuous towel system • An approved air temperature hand drying device

Inspector’s notes

No paper towels were at the handsink. Some were found and put at the sink.

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 problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0690Facility maintenance

Official wording

Have a ventilation hood system that prevents grease or condensation from collecting on walls or ceilings.

Inspector’s notes

At the time of the inspection, Raw beef and onions were being cooked on a hot plate. There was also a lot of raw chicken in the reach in freezer. A hood is necessary to capture grease and condensation, and these foods are NOT APPROVED to be on the menu and being prepared on site. Discontinue cooking foods that were not approved without the use of a hood.

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
minorCode MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

Unapproved styrofoam containers are being used in the facility. These are not approved and have been banned from use for several years. Obtain approved containers. A fact sheet will be attached with this report. Continued use may result in a $200 citation.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MCO 188.380Handwashing

Official wording

Food businesses must have handwashing sinks with a water temperature of: • At least 100 degrees F • Not hotter than 130 degrees F • If children use the sink, the water temperature must not be hotter than 120 degrees F

Inspector’s notes

The handsink was providing only cold water. The hot water needs to be fixed.

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 problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1040BWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Keep the plumbing system in good repair.

Inspector’s notes

The 3 compartment sink did not have either cold or hot water. This needs to be repaired immediately. Currently the only source of water was from the hand sink.

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
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1110ABHandwashing

Official wording

Keep handwashing sinks accessible at all times. Make sure they are only used for handwashing.

Inspector’s notes

The handwashing sink was the only source of water and therefore being used to fill up water buckets for the 3 compartment sink. This 3 compartment sink needs to be repaired so that the handsink can be used for handwashing only.

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 problems
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0900Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Sanitize food contact surfaces before using and after cleaning.

Inspector’s notes

No bleach was available to use for sanitizing dishes.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0285BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths used for wiping surfaces must: • Be held in an approved sanitizing solution • Laundered daily

Inspector’s notes

There was no bleach or other sanitizer available for creating a sanitizer wiping cloth bucket.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0620BFood temperature

Official wording

Provide permanently mounted temperature measuring device for cold or hot holding equipment used for TCS food.

Inspector’s notes

No thermometer was in the cold pan cooler unit that could be used to verify the temperature was being maintained at 41F or less. One was provided.

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
minorCode MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business license must be posted where it can be easily seen.

Inspector’s notes

No license was posted.

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 Minneapolis Health Department, Dec 18, 2024 · Original Source

Routine

Dec 21, 2023

Complete

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

Inspector’s notes

At least one employee must take a food safety class and submit the certificate of completion to the Minnesota Department of Health to recieve their CFPM certificate. Post this certificate in the restaurant. Information will be sent with this report.

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
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0040COther

Official wording

Keep a log to record employee illness symptoms. Have it available upon request.

Inspector’s notes

No employee illness log was being used at the time of the inspection. A copy was left with the operator at the end of the inspection that can be used.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0715Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Have a test kit for the type of sanitizer used.

Inspector’s notes

No test strips were available at the time of the inspection. Some were left with the operator but some need to be purchased.

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 Minneapolis Health Department, Dec 21, 2023 · Original Source

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