Cafe' Descartes Company
Last inspected: May 25, 2022
90
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Cafe' Descartes Company, the earliest from 2010. The latest inspection on file is from May 25, 2022. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well. No fresh inspection data is available: the latest entry for Cafe' Descartes Company dates to May 25, 2022.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed”, which has been cited four times.
Cafe' Descartes Company's latest score of 90 sits above the Chicago average of 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 25, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: No thermometer in rear food storage room dairy cooler, instructed to provide.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: Ice build-up at front prep cooler, instructed to defrost and maintain.
47
90
Nov 21, 2019
Routine
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A WRITTEN PROCEDURE AND A KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A PERSON IN CHARGE AT ALL TIMES. SEE VIOLATION #2 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF THE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN AND DIRTY GASKETS ON PREP COOLERS IN COFFEE BAR AREA AND IN REAR STORAGE AND DISH ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN PEPSI COOLER LOCATED IN REAR STORAGE AND DISH AREA BEING USED AS A PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST MAINTAIN VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT ALL TIME.
57
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASH SINK IN FRONT COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A CUTTING BOARD IN FRONT COFFEE BAR AREA WITH DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACE.
47
52
Oct 13, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 6, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: INADEQUATE PEST CONTROL, FOUND 30 LIVE FRUIT FLIES IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MGR TO ELIMINATE INSECTS ACTIVITY IN ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PEST CONTROL SERVICE RECOMMENDED. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020
18
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: SARAN WRAP USED TO COVER ONE MISSING GLASS FOR SIDE OF PASTRIES DISPLAY CASE, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DURABLE SMOOTH SURFACE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD IN POOR REPAIR, DEEP DARK GROOVES NOTED, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
33
86
Sep 22, 2016
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: FOUND BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINKS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA OBSTRUCTED WITH FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS WITH DILLUTED SOAP AT THE FRONT HANDSINK AND NO SOAP AT THE REAR HAND SINK; FOUND NO PAPER TOWELS AT EITHER HAND SINK. KITCHEN ITEMS WERE REMOVED FROM EXPOSED HAND SINKS AND MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT BOTH SINKS AT END OF INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
12
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER OR CERTIFICATE ONSITE WHILE SERVING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (I.E. MILK, STEAMED MILK, ETC). MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ONSITE WHILE SERVING OR PREPARING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE BEFORE MACHINE IS TURNED ON AND USED AGAIN TO REMOVE BUILDUP ALONG THE WATER LINE AND INTERIOR SURFACE. MACHINE WAS NOT IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION.
32
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE SERVING PASTRIES AND PREPARING COFFEE WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. ALL EMPLOYEES SHALL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS TO CONFINE HAIR.
42
82
Nov 19, 2015
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PROVIDE A LIGHT SWITCH COVER FOR THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA TO PREVENT INSECT HARBORAGE.
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: STORE ALL ITEMS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA OFF THE FLOOR 6 INCHES.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL WASH CLOTHES IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
86
Nov 10, 2015
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: REACH IN COOLER IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA AT 47 DEGREES F. MUST REPAIR COOLER AND MAINTAIN AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION.
2
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NO SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE PROVIDED AT THE HAND SINKS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. ALSO, NOTED EMPLOYEE RINSING UTENSILS IN THE FRONT HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE FOR ALL HAND WASHING FACILITIES. ALSO ADVISED MANAGER THAT HAND WASHING FACILITIES ARE FOR HAND WASHING ONLY. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030
12
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED. ALSO NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST PROVIDE. (STEAMED MILK,ETC)SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012
21
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: NOTED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN POOR REPAIR. NOTED WASTE WATER BACKING UP INTO THE 2ND AND 3RD COMPARTMENTS WHEN WATER TURNED ON IN THE 1ST SINK BASIN. ALSO NOTED THE FILTRATION SYSTEM ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING INTO THE 2ND COMPARTMENT BELOW. MUST REPAIR LEAK AND PREVENT LEAKING INTO THE THREE COMPARMENT SINK. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030
24
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PROVIDE A LIGHT SWITCH COVER FOR THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA TO PREVENT INSECT HARBORAGE.
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: STORE ALL ITEMS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA OFF THE FLOOR 6 INCHES.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
42
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL WASH CLOTHES IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
67
Sep 20, 2011
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL PRE-PACKAGED FOOD IN 'TO-GO' CONTAINERS MUST HAVE SELL BY OR MADE ON-DATES. All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS BEHIND THE PASTRY CASE & BEHIND COOLER MUST KEPT CLEAN The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: ALL WALLS/CEILING WITH FOOD STAINS/DUST MUST BE CLEANED/SANITIZED. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT SHIELD MISSING INSIDE THE 'GELATO' CASE-MUST PROVIDE. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.
36
82
Dec 6, 2010
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe' Descartes Company last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe' Descartes Company on file is from May 25, 2022. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe' Descartes Company?
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 Company.
Has Cafe' Descartes Company's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe' Descartes Company 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 Company 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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