⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️

CAFE 53

1369 E 53RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60615

Type: Restaurant

Risk Level: Risk 1 (High)

🍽️ Cuisine: American

📍 Neighborhood: Kenwood

License #: 2084345

13
Total Inspections
5
Passed
4
Failed
4
Conditional
PASS
Last Result

Inspection History

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Apr 29, 2025 Inspection

April 29, 2025• Canvass• 3 violations

Violation: 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT POP AND/OR MILK CRATES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR PROPER ELEVATION. MUST B...(+2 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Dec 10, 2024 Inspection

December 10, 2024• Canvass• 4 violations

Violation: 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED THE REAR EXTERIOR DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING AT THE BOTTOM (1/4" GAP). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE ENTRY POINT FO(+3 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Mar 27, 2024 Inspection

March 27, 2024• Complaint• 7 violations

Violation: 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED GROCERY BAGS BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE FOR SOME FOOD ITEMS; INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE(+6 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Aug 7, 2020 Inspection

August 7, 2020• Canvass Re-Inspection• 8 violations

Violation: 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION...(+7 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Jul 31, 2020 Inspection

July 31, 2020• Canvass• 13 violations

Violation: 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS(BREAKFAST SANDWICHES,COFFEE, ESPRESSO) ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SER...(+12 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Nov 4, 2016 Inspection

November 4, 2016• Canvass• 5 violations

Violation: 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS(COFFEE, ESPRESSO...(+4 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Oct 29, 2015 Inspection

October 29, 2015• Canvass Re-Inspection• 12 violations

Violation: 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1386509 10/22/15 #18 STILL FINDING FRONT DOOR FRAME NOT TIGHT FITTING.MANAGER IS ON SITE REPAIRIN...(+11 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Oct 22, 2015 Inspection

October 22, 2015• Canvass• 14 violations

Violation: 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED REAR PREP COOLER AT 51.9F AND FRONT TABLE TOP MILK COOLER AT 49.0F. WITH POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED INSIDE.A HELD FOR INSPECTI...(+13 more)

PASS Risk 1 (High)

Nov 7, 2013 Inspection

November 7, 2013• Canvass• 6 violations

Violation: 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST PROPERLY SEAL AROUND THE WASH BOWL IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM.(+5 more)

PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

Mar 29, 2012 Inspection

March 29, 2012• Canvass• 6 violations

Violation: 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially h...(+5 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Mar 24, 2011 Inspection

March 24, 2011• License Re-Inspection• 4 violations

Violation: 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kep...(+3 more)

FAIL Risk 1 (High)

Mar 11, 2011 Inspection

March 11, 2011• License• 5 violations

Violation: 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: GELATO FREEZER NOT ON AND OPERATING. MUST REPAIR AND HAVE ON AND OPERATING TO VERIFY THAT IT HOLDS THE PROPER TEMPERATURE.(+4 more)

Health Department Contact

Department: Chicago Department of Public Health

Division: Food Protection Program

Report Issues: Call 311 or File Online

More Information: Chicago Food Protection

Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections