A Cup of Joe

1309 W 18Th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: May 21, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited A Cup of Joe four times, with records going back to 2023. A Cup of Joe was last inspected on May 21, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “personal cleanliness”, showing up two times.

The city-wide average is 81, putting A Cup of Joe squarely in typical territory. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 21, 2025

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: SPRAYER ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK DRIPS PROFUSELY. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: MOP NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE HANGING UP AND MAINTAIN.

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS/EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE PREP AREAS WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE REFRIGERATOR (CLOSEST TO THE STAIRS) IN THE BASEMENT IS CRACKED/DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO FIX OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

May 24, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A SLIGHT PINKISH SUBSTANCE INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BY THE ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: 3-601.11 OBSERVED PREPACKAGED GRAB-AND-GO PASTA SALAD AND DESSERTS FOR SALE AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER COUNTER WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS, AND INGREDIENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.

Aug 28, 2023

Complaint

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIVE DOG IN THE DINING AREA OF THE RESTAURANT. ALSO NOTED WAS A DOG SITTING IN A DINING CHAIR WITH ITS OWNER INSIDE THE RESTAURANT. NOTED TWO DOGS SITTING IN DINING CHAIRS WITH OWNERS ON OUTDOOR PATIO AREA. LIVE ANIMALS MAY NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES OF A RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-40-060. CITATION ISSUED. THE DOGS WERE REMOVED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (MILK, SAUSAGE, EGGS) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER ARRIVES AT 11:20 AM, ONCE INSPECTION IS COMPLETE.

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: FOUND ALL COOKS WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES.

Apr 21, 2023

License

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was A Cup of Joe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at A Cup of Joe on file is from May 21, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at A Cup of Joe?

Across the inspection record, “personal cleanliness” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at A Cup of Joe.

Has A Cup of Joe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at A Cup of Joe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at A Cup of Joe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is A Cup of Joe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, A Cup of Joe is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Craft Burger

1311 W 18Th St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

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→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago