Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim)
Last inspected: Sep 24, 2025
90
Score
Going back to 2010, Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) has 15 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Sep 24, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean”, which has been cited eight times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 24, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOAP DISPENSOR DOES NOT ATTACH TO WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
47
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 FOOD HANDLER ON DUTY WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
90
Jun 14, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED ACCUMULATED DUST AND DIRT AT ON THE VENTIALTION UNIT OF DISPLAY COOLER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSUTRCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH THE ESPRESSO MACHINE.
55
90
Mar 8, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DUSTS ACCUMULATIONS FROM FAN COVERS IN COOLERS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN MILK SPILLAGE IN COOLER UNDERNEATH THE COFFEE STATION AND MAINTAIN.
49
90
Jun 5, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND DATE READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24 HOURS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST IDENTIFY PRODUCT SHELF LIFE OR "CONSUME BY" DATING (7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
23
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENT OPENING OF DISPLAY CASE/COOLER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION IN FRONT DISPLAY AREA.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED BEHIND COFFEE MACHINES AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED
51
82
Sep 21, 2018
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14 (A) FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 (a) NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-202.16 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF DISPLAY COOLER WITH DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.114 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNDERNEATH FRONT COUNTER IN CORNER WITH DIRT AND SYRUP ACCUMULATION AND MUST REMOVE MILK CRATES FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-303.11 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE INOPERABLE LIGHTBULB INSIDE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER (BEHIND CIAO).
56
70
Aug 18, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Observed dirt and debris on the shelves throughout prep area. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed dirt and debris on the floors throughout facility. Instructed to clean and maintain.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Observed the wall below the far counter (next to ice machine) to be dirty. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.
35
86
Oct 4, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER WITH DRIED MILK SPILLAGE IN DRY STORAGE LOWER LEVEL (TERMINAL 1 B CONCOURSE)
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED WATER POOLING UNDERNEATH ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP/SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP FLOORS DRY TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
34
90
Oct 30, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: STORAGE CABINETS, DISPLAY SHELVES, COOLER GASKETS AND INTERIOR OF COOLERS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR IN PREP AREA NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN DAILY.
34
90
Jul 2, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: STORAGE SHELVES INSIDE CABINETS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE DEBRIS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR IN CORNERS AND BETWEEN EQUIPMENT NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REMOVE DEBRIS.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT BULB NOT SHIELDED INSIDE PASTRY DISPLAY. INSTRUCTED TO SHIELD BULB.
36
86
Jul 26, 2013
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK UNDER CABINET WITH DUST AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND ICE MACHINE IN PREP AREA.---------NEEDS DETAIL CLEANING AND MAINTAINING OF FLOORS THROUGHOUT WATER FILTRATION ROOM WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD-UP AT REAR AREA.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHTS MUST BE SHIELDED INSIDE PASTRY DISPLAY CABINET OR PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF LIGHT BULB.
36
86
Sep 21, 2012
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BROKEN RUBBER GASKET AROUND (2) PREP COOLER DOOR.
32
95
Sep 20, 2011
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE DISPLAY COOLER AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE MENU BOARD, WITH DUST BUILT UP AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
Sep 1, 2010
Tag Removal
No violations found.
100
Aug 31, 2010
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous serious violation corrected, 7-42-090
Inspector notes: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Serious violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 08-24-10 REPORT#284728 ,CRITICAL VIOLATION ,CITATION ISSUED;MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS/SHATTERED PROOF BULBS IN PASTRY DELI CASE;TAG PASTRY DELI CASE,NOT TO BE USED,MANAGER REMOVED ALL THE FOODS IN THE CASE;MUST FAX A LETTER TO SUPERVISOR TURKALY 312-746-4240 WHEN LIGHT SHIELDS HAS BEEN INSTALLED
14
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: #14,CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION,TAG PASTRY DELI CASE
29
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: NEXT REGULAR INSPECTION
33
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: NEXT REGULAR INSPECTION
36
82
Aug 24, 2010
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #159639,06-30-09,FOUND#36 MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD OR SHATTERED PROOF BULB IN PASTRY DELI CASE ;SERIOUS VIOLATION,CITATION ISSUED;GIVEN 5 DAYS 08-31-10 TO CORRECT THE VIOLATION
29
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. MUST PROVIDE DRAIN COVER IN 1 OF 3 C SINK
32
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. MUST CLEAN COFFEE CABINET
33
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. FLOOR IN MOPSINK AREA WITH STANDING WATER MUST KEEP DRY AND CLEAN AT ALL TIMES
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. 7 WORNOUT LIGHT BULBS IN PREP AND FRONT COUNTER
36
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. MUST CALIBRATE THERMOMETER,MUST BE 40F OR BELOW
40
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) on file is from Sep 24, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim)?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim).
Has Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim)'s inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) 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 Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Des Cartes (Baggage T1) — Cafe Descartes (T1-Baggage-Claim) is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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