⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 2 (Medium)

SOCIETY COFFEE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SOCIETY COFFEE (AKA: SOCIETY COFFEE BAR) 1816 N WELLS ST, CHICAGO 60614 Restaurant
April 16, 2025 License License #3011270
8
Total Violations
2
Critical
6
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

8
Violation #3
CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.
All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.
Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED PLASTIC PROTECTIVE LAYER ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
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: NOTED RAW WOOD ON UNDERSIDE OF ALL COUNTERS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND PREP AREA TOPS. MULTIPLE SOURCES OF MOISTURE AND WATER AND EQUIPMENT PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.
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 #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED THREE (3) PIECES OF EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA TO NOT HAVE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICEABLE FOR EACH MACHINE: COFFEE MAKER, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE/INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ALL.
Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.
Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.
Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ONE WALL ON SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO HAVE AN UNFINISHED BRICKWORK ON WALL BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND PREP SURFACES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACE OF THE UNFINISHED BRICK WORK.
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 VENT/FAN COVER ON THE FAN IN THE BATHROOM, AND THE VENT COVER ON THE EXHAUST LOCATED ON WALL OVER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE MISSING, CREATING A NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VENT COVER AND ENSURE SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
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 EXPOSED STUDS/OPEN WALL CAVITY ON SOUTH WALL NEXT TO BASE OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND ABOVE THE BATHROOM DOOR LEADING TO THE HVAC FILTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH AND ENCLOSE ALL EXPOSED STUDS, SUCH AS WITH AN ACCESS DOOR OR COVER.
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 EXPOSED STUDS/OPEN WALL CAVITY ON SOUTH WALL NEXT TO BASE OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND ABOVE THE BATHROOM DOOR LEADING TO THE HVAC FILTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH AND ENCLOSE ALL EXPOSED STUDS, SUCH AS WITH AN ACCESS DOOR OR COVER.
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