Bittersweet
Last inspected: Nov 26, 2025
90
Score
Inspectors have visited Bittersweet five times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent report on file is from Nov 26, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about six violations before that.
Across the inspection history, “all food employees have food handler training” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 26, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.
57
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS STILL IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DIRT, COFFEE BEANS AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
90
Nov 19, 2025
Routine
5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED UNDER VIOLATION #2.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE NOR A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE TCS FOODS (EGG, MILK) ARE BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND A VALID/ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
2
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND 40 RODENT DROPPINGS AROUND THE LOW TEMP. DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: THE NON-COMPLIANCE SUMMARY REPORT FROM 11/19/2024 WAS NOT POSTED IN PLAIN VIEWING OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT'S CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO POST AND MAINTAIN SUMMARY POSTED IN PLAIN VIEWING OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT'S CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-010(B) CITATION ISSUED.
61
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2607640 DATED 11/19/2024 NOT CORRECTED AND/OR MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN: -#40. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A HAIR NET OR CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. -#58. OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT FOR ALL FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
60
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS AROUND THE LOW TEMP. DISH MACHINE WITH DROPPINGS, DIRT AND BROKEN GLASS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MALE FOOD HANDLER WITH NO FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.
57
55
Nov 19, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED UNDER VIOLATION #2.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: 2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE NOR A VALID/ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE TCS FOODS (EGG, MILK) ARE BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND A VALID/ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
2
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE HAIR RESTRAINTS SUCH AS A HAIR NET OR CAP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
40
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-205.15 OBSERVED THE PIPE UNDER THE HAND WASHING SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH A LEAK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT FOR ALL FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS.
58
70
Dec 15, 2023
Reinspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND SAMPLE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE. OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING MATERIALS TO CLEAN UP SAID INCIDENT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND CLEANING MATERIALS (GLOVES, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS) FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW AND USE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.
5
90
Dec 5, 2023
License
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD PREP BAR PREP AREA WHERE TOASTER OVEN IS LOCATED WITHOUT SNEEZE GUARD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE BARRIER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM CONSUMERS. PRIORITY VIOLATION.
39
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND SAMPLE VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE. OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING MATERIALS TO CLEAN UP SAID INCIDENT ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE PROCEDURES AND CLEANING MATERIALS (GLOVES, MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS) FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW AND USE WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bittersweet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bittersweet on file is from Nov 26, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bittersweet?
Across the inspection record, “all food employees have food handler training” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Bittersweet.
Has Bittersweet's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Bittersweet have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Bittersweet 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 Bittersweet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bittersweet is inspected around three times per year on average.
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