⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
FAIL Risk 1 (High)

CASA CAFE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CASA CAFE 2025 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO 60608 Restaurant
December 1, 2023 Canvass License #2032864
11
Total Violations
2
Critical
2
Major
7
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

11
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN REAR MEN AND WOMEN WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.
Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.
Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.
Violation #16
CRITICAL
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED RESIDUE ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.
All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.
Violation #25
MINOR
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSURE ON PAPER MENU AND MENU BOARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSURE/REMINDER ON ALL MENUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.
Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
Prevent contamination during all food handling.
Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.
Violation #43
MINOR
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SMALL PLATE USED FOR DISPENSING COOKED RICE IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LONG HANDLE DISPENSING UTENSILS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.
In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.
Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.
Violation #45
MINOR
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES AND UTENSILS NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL TAKE OUT CONTAINERS, SPOONS, AND FORKS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.
Single-use items must be protected from contamination.
Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS IN WALK-IN COOLER, WALK-IN FREEZER, BASEMENT PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED WALK-IN FREEZER DOOR NOT CLOSING PROPERLY AND ONLY ONE STOPPER FOR 3-COMPARMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR WALK-IN FREEZER DOOR AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS.
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #53
MAJOR
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN FRONT WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.
Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.
Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Building must be maintained in good condition.
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections