Aje Cafe

2942 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Jan 5, 2021
86
Score
Low Risk

Aje Cafe appears in inspection records 13 times, starting in 2011. The most recent report on file is from Jan 5, 2021. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer. No fresh inspection data is available: the latest entry for Aje Cafe dates to Jan 5, 2021.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to four violations.

“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.

Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 5, 2021
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED BRICK WALLS IN VARIOUS FOOD PREP AREAS AND WHERE FOOD CONTACT ITEMS ARE USED SUCH AS PLASTIC WRAP, TOGO CONTAINERS AND UTENSILS. BRICK WALLS MUST BE COVERED/SEALED TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. NO OPEN CRACKS CREVICES OR HOLES.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED UNSECURED TILES WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DEBRIS BEING USED AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION UNDER THE KITCHEN PREP TABLE. MUST USE MATERIAL FOR REPAIR THAT IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING AT THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING. SHELVING LINERS MUST BE A CLEANABLE/WASHABLE MATERIAL.
49
86
Oct 14, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD (SODA) INSIDE CARDBOARD BOXES ON FLOOR IN FRONT OF COUNTER. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
55
95
Jul 16, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-TURKEY 48.2F, HAM 47.7F, CHICKEN 47.1F, TOMATOES 45.5F, CHEESE 49.7F, EGGS 44.6F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 2 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $15.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005
22
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: NOTED TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME AND USED BY DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005(A). NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
23
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
50
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
51
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
52
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH NO GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED ROUGH AND UNFINISHED BRICK WALLS BEHIND THE PREP TABLE, OVEN, DRY STORAGE SHELF AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH WALLS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL AND UNDERNEATH SHELVES AT THE EXTERIOR STORAGE WITH THE CHEST FREEZER
55
58
Jun 15, 2018
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
May 25, 2018
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 5-19-17 INSPECTION # 2050693. VIOLATION 35 MUST REFINISH FLAKING PAINT IN REAR STORAGE ROOM ON WALLS AND CEILING. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-42-090. MUST REPAIR/PAINT CEILING/WALLS AT REAR STORAGE AREAS.
29
95
May 19, 2017
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL COVING (AT LEAST 4 INCHES TALL) ALONG WALL UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UP TO THE MOP SINK. MUST ELEVATE ALL FOOD PRODUCT (SODA, SYRUPS, ETC) AND PACKAGING AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR UNDER FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND BEHIND THE SELF SERVICE WATER COUNTER. MUST CLEAN PARTICULATE MATTER AND DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REFINISH FLAKING PAINT IN REAR STORAGE ROOM ON WALLS AND CEILING.
35
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO MINIMIZE MICROBIAL GROWTH.
43
86
May 12, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION #38 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1938033 DATED 7/5/16: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND REGULAR COFFEE MACHINE WATERLINE. MUST PROVIDE. MUST CORRECT THIS VIOLATION. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-42-090
29
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL COVING (AT LEAST 4 INCHES TALL) ALONG WALL UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UP TO THE MOP SINK. MUST ELEVATE ALL FOOD PRODUCT (SODA, SYRUPS, ETC) AND PACKAGING AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR UNDER FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND BEHIND THE SELF SERVICE WATER COUNTER. MUST CLEAN PARTICULATE MATTER AND DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REFINISH FLAKING PAINT IN REAR STORAGE ROOM ON WALLS AND CEILING.
35
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO MINIMIZE MICROBIAL GROWTH.
43
82
Jul 5, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND REGULAR COFFEE MACHINE WATERLINE. MUST PROVIDE.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: FOUND NO THERMOMETER INSIDE OF DELI PREPARATION MEAT REACH IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
40
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOUND SERVER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
42
86
Aug 28, 2015
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN GASKET ON THE 1 DOOR DAIRY REFRIGERATOR UNDER THE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
32
95
Sep 26, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO STORE SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS FACING ONE DIRECTION TO AVOID BARE HAND CONTACT WITH THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF UTENSILS.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPLACE STAINED, DEEP GROOVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP TO PROVIDE CUTTING BOARDS WITH A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
32
90
Dec 13, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: PROVIDE A VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR COFFEE STATION AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
38
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HAIR RESTRAINT WHEN WORKING AROUND OPEN FOODS.
42
90
Nov 1, 2012
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DEFROST ICE BOX FREEZER AT PREP AREA.
33
95
Aug 8, 2011
License
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Aje Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Aje Cafe on file is from Jan 5, 2021. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Aje Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Aje Cafe.

Has Aje Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Aje Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

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