Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe
Last inspected: May 16, 2025
95
Score
Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2019. The most recent visit was on May 16, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around eight violations to closer to three violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited 10 times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 16, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11 - OBSERVED GASKETS ON TWO DOORS OF THE PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA TO BE TORN AND HANGING OFF. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE TORN/DAMAGED GASKETS AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
47
95
May 1, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH A CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MACHINE WAS NOT IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRAION. DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST 50 PPM AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TABLE BELOW THE LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE TO HAVE A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC LAYER THAT IS HEAVILY TORN. OBSERVED THE SHELF BELOW THE MINI FRIDGE NEXT TO STORAGE CLOSET AT FRONT CASHIER AREA TO BE MADE OF UNFINISHED/UNPAINTED WOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE THE TORN PROTECTIVE PLASTIC COATING, PAINT/SEAL WOODEN SHELF, AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GASKETS ON TWO DOORS OF THE PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA TO BE TORN AND HANGING OFF. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE TORN/DAMAGED GASKETS AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR BOTTOM SHELVES OF THE 4 DOOR PREP COOLER TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS AND TRASH. OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MINI FRIDGE NEXT TO THE STORAGE CLOSET AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA TO BE HEAVILY ENCRUSTED ON THE INSIDE WITH ICE ON ALL WALLS AND SHELVES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN BOTTOM SHELVES AND THE INTERIOR OF MINI FRIDGE.
49
74
Feb 13, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MIDDLE COMPARTMENT PIPE DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MIDDLE COMPARTMENT PIPE MUST DRAIN QUICKLY.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR CLUTTERED UNDER STAIRCASE CLOSET. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE ITEMS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULTED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Sep 29, 2022
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON-SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (RICE, CHICKEN, BEANS ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. ALSO, THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY THE NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE 2-DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE KITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE SHELVES INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH DIRT, STANDING WATER AND FOOD PARTICLES (CHEESE).INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FACILITY, UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, BAKING TABLE, THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, CAKED WITH FLOUR, FOOD DEBRIS, SPILLED DIRT ONTO THE FLOOR UNDER THE STAND MIXER/HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
67
Apr 23, 2021
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: WALLS THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE PREP AREA BEHND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT DIRTY WITH GREASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
55
95
Apr 13, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 17 minor violations.
View 18 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 9-16-19 #2312349 NOT CORRECTED. #39-: NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN PREP SINK AND PREP TABLE AT THE REAR PREP AREA.. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASH GUARD. #56- NOTED GAS GRILL NOT COMPLETELY INSIDE THE EXHAUST HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE GRILL COMPLETELY INSIDE THE EXHAUST HOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090.
60
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE HAND WASHING PAPER TOWELS ON TOP OF FOOD PREPARATION EQUIPMENT IE: FLOOR MIXER. MUST PROVIDE A PROPER TOWEL DISPENSER AT THE HAND WASHING SINK.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS ON SHOES AND APRONS PREPARING FOODS AND WASHING DISHES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE CLEAN APRONS AND OUTER CLOTHING FOR EMPLOYEES.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: IN USE SOILED WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
41
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APRONS BEING STORED HANGING INSIDE THE DIRTY UTILITY SERVICE SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE CLEAN AND SOILED LINENS.
44
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLEAN STORED DISHES AND UTENSILS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA DIRTY WITH FOOD SPLATTER. MUST STORE CLEANED DISHES.
44
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT FACILITY, IN ALL STORAGE ROOMS AND CLOSETS, UNDER SINKS, TABLES, SHELVING MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS FOR LINER OR REPAIR ON ANY EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, WALLS, OR ANY OTHER SURFACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACKENED, STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN POOR REPAIR WITH DEEP CUTS AND BLACKED GROOVES IN BOARDS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE POROUS CYLINDER BRICKS UNDER THE COOLER AS A MEANS OF EVEATION. MUST USE CLEANABLE MATERIAL SUCH AS METAL.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS AND FREEZERS, HOT HOLDING UNIT, ICE MACHINE, INTERIOR OF THE ONE COMPARTMENT FOOD PREP SINK WITH EXCESSIVE, ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT AND GREASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL, CARDBOARD, PAPER TOWELS OR CLOTH TOWELS AS LINER FOR SHELVING OR EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. SURFACES MUST REMAIN SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----ALL SHELVING THROUGHOUT ENTIRE FACILITY WITH DIRT, GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: ALL UNUSED ITEMS STORED ON THE GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE REAR REFUSE AREA AND BACK PATIO AREA INCLUDING UNKNOWN SOURCE OF EXCESSIVE DROPINGS MUST BE REMOVED.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: UNUSED DIRTY, FOOD SPLATTERED SODA DISPENSING SYSTEM IN THE DINING ROOM MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CERAMIC COVING/WALL BASEBOARD MISSING AND DAMAGED IN THE DINING ROOM. MUST REPLACE REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACKENED, SOILED UTILITY SERVICE SINK WITH ENCRUSTED DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FACILITY, UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, TABLES, THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, IN ALL STORAGE ROOMS AND CLOSETS FOUND EXTREMELY DIRTY WITH GREASE, DEBRIS, FOOD DEBRIS, DEAD POTTED PLANTS WITH SPILLED DIRT ONTO THE FLOOR UNDER THE STAND MIXER/HAND WASHING SINK. ----WALLS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FACILITY, THROUGHOUT DISH AREA, MOP SINK, PREP, STORAGE ROOMS, DIRTY WITH GREASE, FOOD SPLATTER, BLACKEN AND SOILED WITH DIRT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. RUBBER MATTING ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP/DISH WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
39
Sep 16, 2019
Reinspection
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN PREP SINK AND PREP TABLE AT THE REAR PREP AREA.. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASH GUARD.
39
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED GAS GRILL NOT COMPLETELY INSIDE THE EXHAUST HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE GRILL COMPLETELY INSIDE THE EXHAUST HOOD.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
78
Sep 9, 2019
License
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: MANAGEMENT UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING UP VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ONE INCLUDING THE CHEMICALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED GAS GRILL NOT COMPLETELY INSIDE THE EXHAUST HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE THE GRILL COMPLETELY INSIDE THE EXHAUST HOOD.
56
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NOTED OVER 30 FLYING INSECTS ON WALL, SHELVES, CEILING AND EQUIPMENT AT THE FOOD PREP AREA AND DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND HAVE PREMISES TREATED.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe on file is from May 16, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe.
Has Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan 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.
How often is Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bolivar Y Lincoln Venezuelan Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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