Botanical Cafe

3740 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: May 14, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Botanical Cafe has four inspections on file, the first dated 2019. On May 14, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.

The pattern that stands out is “utensils, equipment & linens”, which has been cited two times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 14, 2025

Complaint

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BAG OF CLEAN LINENS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR BENEATH COUNTER IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE LINEN BAG AND STORE CLEAN LINENS ON A CLEAN SURFACE AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE FACILITY RESTROOM IN POOR REPAIR AND NON-FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FUNCTIONAL MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOMS TO REMOVE OBJECTIONABLE ODORS AND FUMES.

Sep 27, 2024

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER OR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE FOR INTERIOR OF SOUTHERN MOST TWO DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN FRONT PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A THERMOMETER OR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD SERVICE ITEMS AND FOOD SERVICE ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR UNDER SHELVES IN REAR STORAGE/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM FLOOR.

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

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTH GASKETS OF NORTHERN MOST TWO (2) DOOR REACH IN COOLER AT FRONT PREPARATION AREA TO BE TORN AND DAMAGED, ALLOWING FOR BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS AND MOISTURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN GASKETS IN GOOD REPAIR.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WORKING AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WORKING IN FACILITY.

Nov 2, 2020

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 12, 2019

License

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK IN PREP AREA WHERE COFFEE IS BEING SERVED. ALSO, SPLASH GUARDS MUST BE INSTALLED BETWEEN MOP SINK AND DRAIN BOARD AND BETWEEN HAND SINK AND DRAIN BOARD IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BATHROOM DOOR WITHOUT SELF-CLOSING DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO HOLES IN CEILING TILES IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LIGHT BULBS IN PREP AREA WITHOUT PROTECTIVE SHIELDING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Botanical Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Botanical Cafe on file is from May 14, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Botanical Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “utensils, equipment & linens” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Botanical Cafe.

Has Botanical Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Botanical Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Botanical 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 Botanical Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Botanical Cafe is inspected about once every two years on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Festus Enterprises

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Lincoln Cafe and Market

3720 N Lincoln Ave

Score: 82 — Low Risk

Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe

3720 N Lincoln Ave

Score: 90 — Low Risk

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