Brown Cafe Chicago

1400 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Mar 12, 2013

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show four inspections at Brown Cafe Chicago stretching back to 2010. The most recent report on file is from Mar 12, 2013. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result. Brown Cafe Chicago's record stops at Mar 12, 2013, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.

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

When inspectors have written things up, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 12, 2013

Routine

6 minor violations.

View 6 violations

* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

Inspector notes: NO CITY CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY/SITE WHILE POTENTALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARE AND SERVED SUCH AS CHICKEN,ITALIAN BEEF,RICE,HOT DOGS AND FISH. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE MORE EMPLOYEES ENROLLED IN SANITATION CLASS. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS. MUST MAINTAIN. ALSO DETAIL CLEAN SHELVING AND ROLLING RACK IN WALK IN COOLER.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE,SPILLS AND DEBRIS FROM AROUND COOKING AND HEATING EQUIPMENT. ALSO FLOORS IN PAPER GOODS STORAGE ROOM NEEDS CLEANING. MUST MAINTAIN.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: FILTER ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT NEEDS DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND DEBRIS BULID UP. MUST MAINTAIN.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: NOTED FAUCETS AND BOTTOM OF 3-COMP SINK IN POOR REPAIR(LEAKS). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector notes: NOTED ICE SCOOP INSIDE ICE BIN ON ICE. MUST PROVIDE A ICE SCOOP HOLDER TO PROPERLY STORE SCOOP. NOTED RAGS IN DIRTY WATER BY COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CHANGE WATER WITH SANITIZER MORE FREQUENTLY.

Oct 24, 2011

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. THE FRONT KITCHEN HOOD AND FILTERS ARE DUSTY, CLEAN OUT THE FRONT HOOD INTERIOR. THE INOPERATIVE FRONT 2-DOOR COOLER INTERIOR IS DIRTY; WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AND REPAIR THE ABOVE ITEMS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH, SANITARY AND EASY TO MAINTAIN. THE ICE MACHINE HAS SOME DUST INSIDE THE DOOR AND LIP AREA, WIPE AREA WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. THE FLOORS AROUND THE FRYER ARE DIRTY, CLEAN THE FLOORS FROM CORNER TO CORNER.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector notes: Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination. THE ICE SCOOP HOLDER IS DIRTY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE HOLDER.

Jul 14, 2010

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Jul 6, 2010

License

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. Clean and degrease the equipment and surfaces in detail.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. REMOVE OR REPAIR AND SANITIZE OLD COOLERS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. INSTALL A VENTILATION FAN IN BOTH WASHROOMS. INSTALL A MOP SINK CLOSE TO THE KITCHEN TO FACILITATE CLEANING THE FLOORS.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Brown Cafe Chicago last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Brown Cafe Chicago on file is from Mar 12, 2013. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Brown Cafe Chicago?

Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Brown Cafe Chicago.

Has Brown Cafe Chicago's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Brown Cafe Chicago have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Brown Cafe Chicago means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

Nearby Restaurants

Northstar Coffee

1300 S Clinton St

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago