Bru Coffeeworks
Last inspected: Nov 18, 2025
78
Score
Inspectors have visited Bru Coffeeworks seven times, with records going back to 2016. The most recent report on file is from Nov 18, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 18, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE REMOVED TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ORGANIZED AND ELEVATED.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
57
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE CLEAN EQUIPMENT ON THE FAUCET OF THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: BASEMENT REFRIGERATION NOTED DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN SEVERAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. MUST REPLACE.----DAMAGED WALL IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AND WASHROOM NEAR THE REAR EXIT WITH DIRT, DEBRIS AND DEAD INSECTS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Jun 10, 2020
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CLEAN FIXTURES IN BOTH WASHROOMS
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN BOTH UNISEX BATHROOMS
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE CLUTTER THROUGH OUT THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, PROPERLY ELEVATE STOCK 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS FOR BETTER CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DUST AND DEBRIS FROM FLOORS IN FOOD PREP AREA, BOTH RESTROOM STAIRS LEADING TO BASEMENT AND WHOLE BASEMENTS
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT WALLS AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND MOP SINK ARE SEVERALLY DAMAGED AND NOT SMOOTH EASY CLEANABLE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
55
78
Jun 21, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE THE TCS FOODS (MILK) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.CITATION ISSUED
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
5
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: MUST WORE PROPER HAIR PROTECTION WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD
40
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
57
67
Jun 7, 2017
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MISSING DRAIN BOARD AT THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS NOT CLEANED ABOVE THE COFFEE ROASTER UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
May 31, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND SANITIZING BUCKETS AS REQUIRED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
22
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MISSING DRAIN BOARD AT THE DISHWASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS NOT CLEANED ABOVE THE COFFEE ROASTER UNIT.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. REPLACE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE THE MILK REFRIGERATOR AND MAINTAIN.
40
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND ELEVATE STOCK ITEMS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
41
78
Apr 8, 2016
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed the stairs leading to the basement to be unfinished and rough. Instructed facility to seal and maintain.
34
95
Apr 6, 2016
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: No pest control log book on site. Instructed facility to obtain and maintain pest control service from a licensed pest control provider that provides a complete log book with service records, IDPH license, and bait station map/list. Serious violation 7-38-020.
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed the stairs leading to the basement to be unfinished and rough. Instructed facility to seal and maintain.
34
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bru Coffeeworks last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Bru Coffeeworks on file is from Nov 18, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Bru Coffeeworks?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Bru Coffeeworks.
Has Bru Coffeeworks' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Bru Coffeeworks have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Bru Coffeeworks 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 Bru Coffeeworks inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Bru Coffeeworks is inspected about once every two years on average.
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