Cafe Mustache
Last inspected: Jun 20, 2025
74
Score
Cafe Mustache appears in inspection records 13 times, starting in 2015. On Jun 20, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded 10 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.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 20, 2025
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT NORTHEAST WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED TOP INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: NOTED FOOD HANDLERS IN PREP AREA WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPER BEING STORE ON THE TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER CONTAINER FOR HOLDING IN BETWEEN USE.
43
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. NOTED SMALL ITEMS ON THE FLOORS IN EQUIPMENT CLOSET, HALLWAY TO WASHROOMS, DJ BOOTH, AND MOP CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, ALL KEPT ITEMS SHALL BE STORED ON PROPER SHELVING THAT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN, AND A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NOTED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
74
Nov 8, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS DISHWASHING/PREPARATION/BAR AREAS.MUST PROVIDE.
10
95
Oct 10, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 2, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2563117 ON 9/1/22 NOT CORRECTED: 53 - MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL WASHROOMS USED BY WOMEN. 55 - CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE SMALL TOASTER/CONVECTION OVEN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE VINYL FLOORING IN DISREPAIR IN THE KITCHEN AREA. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT/WALL PAPER ON THE WALL UNDER THE HAND DRYING DEVICE IN THE WASHROOM NEXT TO THE PHOTO BOOTH. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE FLOOR AND WALL SO THAT THEY ARE BOTH SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
82
Sep 1, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE FRONT WASHROOM ON THE CAFE SIDE IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.
56
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL WASHROOMS USED BY WOMEN.
53
86
Jul 22, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT REAR EXIT DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
38
90
Jul 13, 2020
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE TOILET IN THE WASHROOM IN THE BAR AREA.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL OF THE PREP AREA BEHIND THE PANINI PRESS. CLEAN THE WALLS OF THE STORAGE ROOM AROUND THE MOP SINK. CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND STORAGE SHELVES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE SMALL WASHROOM IN THE RESTAURANT AREA IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE OF THE LIGHT FIXTURES IN THE PREP AREA NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST REPLACE THE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS.
56
78
Oct 21, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 16 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLER HANDLE A READY TO EAT BAGEL WITH BARE HANDS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE GLOVES,PAPER OR UTENSILS TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)
9
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
5
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2213984 9/7/18 NOT CORRECTED #58-PA 100-0367 ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST TAKE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)
60
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL REPACKAGED BAKED GOODS ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
37
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT MULTIUSE UTENSILS ON DISH STORAGE SHELVES.
44
Gloves used properly
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO USE GLOVES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.
46
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVING UNIT IN PREP COOLER IN COFFEE AREA.MUST APPLY A SEALANT OR PAINT RAW WOOD OVER HEAD SHELF ABOVE FURNACE ROOM.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DUST AND DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT,WINDOW SILLS,INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE,COUNTER TOP UNDERNEATH COFFEE MACHINE,REACH IN FREEZER,PIPE OF GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMP SINK.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE SLOW DRAIN AT HAND SINK OF RIGHT SIDE TOILET ROOM IN HALLWAY.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIDS ON GARBAGE CANS IN UNISEX TOILET ROOMS.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN DINING & PREP AREAS.DAMAGED FLOOR TILES NEAR MOP SINK & RECORD BOOTH.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM WALLS IN PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN DINING,MOP SINK AREA & PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM VENT COVERS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR NEAR FRONT WINDOW SEATING AND ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
57
37
Sep 7, 2018
Reinspection
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-201.11 NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE DUST FROM THE WIRE STORAGE SHELVES.
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST TAKE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: 8-304.11(A) PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 8/31/18 WAS NOT POSTED. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS.
61
70
Aug 31, 2018
Routine
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-201.11 NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS (HUMMUS) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-501.111(E)(1)(a) NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WAS PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. THE LAST PEST CONTROL INSPECTION REPORT WAS FROM JULY 2017. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A PEST CONTROL COMPANY MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THEY MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BEHIND THE BAR.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST TAKE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: 3-304.14 OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES AND COOLERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WET WIPING CLOTHS IN A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE DUST FROM THE WIRE STORAGE SHELVES.
49
55
Oct 13, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Caulk around 3 compartment sink in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced, caulk around exposed hand sink in kitchen prep area in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced. Reach in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall ne repaired/replaced.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Reach in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning, cooler door gaskets not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices). Kitchen storage shelving/racks not clean, had excess debris accumulation, need detailed cleaning(crevices).
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floors in front counter area and bar area not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Walls that had peeling paint/exposed plaster in kitchen areas by exposed hand sinks, shall be repaired/sealed. Walls in kitchen prep areathat had food splattering by prep table need detailed cleaning.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: Rear bathroom door self closing mechanism in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced.
37
78
Apr 8, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE PREPARING AND SERVING SANDWICHES WITHOUT WEARING GLOVES OR WASHING HANDS. ALSO NOTED SAME EMPLOYEE PICKING SHREDDED CHEESE WITH BARE HANDS AND PUTTING IT INSIDE CHILI AND SERVING IT TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR GLOVES OR USE UTENSILS OR TONGS AT ALL TIMES READY TO EAT FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-010(A)
6
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED CRACKS ON FLOOR AND A ROUGH AND UNEVEN PAVEMENT BETWEEN THE KITCHEN AND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGH OUT PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED SLOW WATER DRAIN AT THE HAND WASH SINK INSIDE BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED A BUNCH OF DIRTY WASH CLOTHS ON TOP OF GREASE TRAP NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WASH CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
78
Apr 9, 2015
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF THE TWO DOOR SMALL FREEZER WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS IN THE DINING ROOM CLOSET MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR 6" OR ABOVE.
41
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Mustache last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Mustache on file is from Jun 20, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe Mustache?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Cafe Mustache.
Has Cafe Mustache's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe Mustache have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Cafe Mustache means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Cafe Mustache inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Mustache is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants