Big Shoulders Coffee Works
Last inspected: Jul 17, 2025
90
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at Big Shoulders Coffee Works stretching back to 2012. The most recent visit was on Jul 17, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints”, showing up two times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Big Shoulders Coffee Works is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 17, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: No hands washing sign in employees restroom, Instructed to provide.
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Live pottery plants placed above food production area, instructed to remove.
55
90
Apr 15, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK CONTAINERS OF SUGAR, RICE, ETC. NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
37
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: FOUND NO COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE LOCATED IN UNISEX WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
90
Apr 30, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 13, 2019
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 20, 2018
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODES OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #2-201.11.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODES OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #2-502.11.
5
82
Nov 21, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP. MAINTAIN SAME.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS UNDER/AROUND THE ICE MACHINE. MAINTAIN SAME.
34
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHEN PREPARING/SERVING FOOD AND/OR BEVERAGES. MAINTAIN SAME.
42
86
Aug 4, 2015
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO VENTILATION IN THE MENS AND WOMANS WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE.
38
95
Jul 30, 2015
Complaint
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: LOW TEMPERATURE CHLORINE CHEMICAL DISH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. FOUND 0 PPM CHLORINE AFTER SIX CYCLE RUNS, DRAINING MACHINE TWICE AND PRIMING MACHINE. NO OTHER MEANS OF PROPER SANITIZING ON PREMISES, NO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
8
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE/MAINTAINED. OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND SINK BEING USED AS FOOD PREP SINK. EMPLOYEE OBSERVED RINSING OUT SHAKER CUP USED FOR ICED TEA, RINSING OFF FRESH MINT. INSTRUCTED THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IS FOR HAND WASHING PURPOSES ONLY.NO OTHER PREP SINKS OR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AVAILABLE ON PREMISES.MUST INSTALL A THREE COMPARTMENT SINK ON PREMISES FOR FOOD PREP AND SANITIZING OF LARGE EQUIPMENT. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
11
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL PRE-PACKAGED FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH FOOD NAME, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND INGREDIENTS.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: EXTERIOR LARGE ICE MACHINE WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR IN THE GREEN BEAN STORAGE ROOM WITH WITH DIRT AND BEAN SPILLAGE. MUST CLEAN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO VENTILATION IN THE MENS AND WOMANS WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INTERNAL THERMOMETER NEEDED FOR DAIRY COOLERS INCLUDING THE DAIRY COOLER IN THE GREEN BEAN STORAGE ROOM.
40
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA MUST WEAR HAT/HAIR RESTRAINT.
42
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED INSIDE THE PROVIDED SCOOP CONTAINER. NOT ON TOP OF THE DIRTY ICE MACHINE.
43
64
May 31, 2012
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR IN THE HOT WATER TANK LOCATION,SEAL HOLE IN SAME AREA.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN,ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS,HOT WATER TANK ROOM ELEVATE 6" OFF FLOOR FOR EASIER CLEANING,REMOVE CLUTTER DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.
41
90
May 23, 2012
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FRONT LEFT SERVICE COFFEE ROASTER PREP AREA MUST BE PROTECTED AGAINST PUBLIC CONTAMINATION AT ALL TIMES.SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
16
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: FOUND FRONT DOOR TO ESTABLISHMENT NOT RODENT PROOFED APPROXIMATELY 1/4" MODE OF ENTRY AT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR IN THE HOT WATER TANK LOCATION,SEAL HOLE IN SAME AREA.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IS NEEDED AT ICE MAKER.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN,ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS,HOT WATER TANK ROOM ELEVATE 6" OFF FLOOR FOR EASIER CLEANING,REMOVE CLUTTER DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.
41
78
Apr 20, 2012
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Big Shoulders Coffee Works last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Big Shoulders Coffee Works on file is from Jul 17, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Big Shoulders Coffee Works?
Across the inspection record, “appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Big Shoulders Coffee Works.
Has Big Shoulders Coffee Works' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Big Shoulders Coffee Works have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Big Shoulders Coffee Works 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 Big Shoulders Coffee Works inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Big Shoulders Coffee Works is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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