Cafe Descartes
Last inspected: Nov 23, 2015
90
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Cafe Descartes, the earliest from 2012. The most recent visit was on Nov 23, 2015. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues. No fresh inspection data is available: the latest entry for Cafe Descartes dates to Nov 23, 2015.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Cafe Descartes' latest score of 90 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 23, 2015
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL MINERAL BUILD-UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: BROKEN STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TO BE ABLE TO WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE.
38
90
Nov 16, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 10 SMALL FLIES ON PREMISES:ON WALLS, FRONT SERVING AREA,AROUND FLOOR DRAINS,FRONT WINDOW AT NORTH AREA AND AROUND THE THREE COMPARTMENTS SINKS.OBSERVED SMALL 2oz CONTAINERS WITH WHITE VINEGAR ON IT TO REMOVE SMALL FLIES.LAST SERVICE BY THE PEST CONTROL(PRESTO-X)WAS ON 5-16-13.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FLIES.CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION VIOLATION:7-38-020
18
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF VALID CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE,DISPLAYED ON PREMISES A COPY OF THE CITY SANITATION CERTIFICATE.NO CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER ON PREMISES AT PRESENT TIME,HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD:MILK ETC.A LEAST ONE PERSON ON DUTY IS CERTIFIED AT ALL TIMES WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ARE PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED.INFORMATION GIVEN HOW TO ENROLL TO SANITATION CLASS. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-012(A)
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL MINERAL BUILD-UP INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: ALL FLOOR DRAINS WITH BLACK SLIME BUILD-UP ,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES. DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER AND BESIDE THE COOLER UNITS AND UQUIPMENTS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: BROKEN STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TO BE ABLE TO WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE
38
78
Oct 2, 2014
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND SPLASH GUARD NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AT MAIN EXPOSED SINK.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: FOUND INTERIOR OF CABINETS NOT CLEAN.
33
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.
42
86
Apr 1, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED.(COFFEE BEANS,ETC.)
30
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: FOUND CHANDELIER ABOVE ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH BULBS NOT SHIELDED.
36
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.
42
86
Nov 8, 2013
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE,2 COOKED CROISSANT FILLED WITH FETA CHEESE AND SPINACH AT TEMP OF 60.9F,AND 2 COOKED CROISSANT FILLED WITH CHEESE AT TEMP OF 64.9F. NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOG PROVIDED AT PRESENT TIME. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUND:4 EACH, VALUE:$12 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
3
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NO LABEL OF FOOD INGREDIENT PROVIDED AT EACH SLICED SWEETS FOR CUSTOMERS,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABEL WITH FOOD SOURCE.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CAULKING AROUND SPLASH GUARD AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IS IN POOR REPAIR/BROKEN,INSTRUCTED TO RESEAL WITH A SMOOTH SURFACE.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: BROKEN STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
38
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: NO ICE SCOOP PROVIDED AT ICE BIN AT COFFEE STATION, FRONT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAID SCOOP,TO MINIMIZE CONTAMINATION.
42
78
Sep 17, 2012
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINK. NEED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND COUNTER ON BOTH SIDE OF THE SINKS.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, REMOVE DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: VENTILATION IS NEEDED IN BOTH WASHROOMS.
38
86
Sep 13, 2012
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINK. NEED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND COUNTER ON BOTH SIDE OF THE SINKS.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, REMOVE DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
34
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON BOTH WASHROOM DOORS.
37
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TOP LOADING GELATO MACHINE, UNABLE TO SANITIZE DUE TO NO FAUCET WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER PROVIDED ABOVE THE UNIT NOR A WATER SPRAYER ON THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ONE OR THE OTHER. TAGGED UNIT "HELD FOR INSPECTION". FAX A LETTER WHEN VIOLATION IS CORRECTED. FAX #312-746-4240.
38
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: VENTILATION IS NEEDED IN BOTH WASHROOMS.
38
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Descartes last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Descartes on file is from Nov 23, 2015. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe Descartes?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Cafe Descartes.
Has Cafe Descartes' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe Descartes have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cafe Descartes means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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