Can't Believe It's Not Meat
Last inspected: May 30, 2025
61
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Can't Believe It's Not Meat, the earliest from 2019. On May 30, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near three violations each time.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “allergen training as required”, showing up three times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 30, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE WITH CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDAITON
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPEN CUP OF BEVERAGE ON SHELF ABOVE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLOSED LID CONTAINERS FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
6
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
45
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN PREP AREA.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
61
Dec 10, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO RENEW AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
58
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMP SINK.
47
90
Apr 5, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHES LAYING AROUND THE PREP STATION. MUST PROPERLY STORE WHEN NOT IN USE IN SANITING SOLUTION.
41
95
Nov 3, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE RUBBER GASKET AT THE TWO DOOR DAIRY COOLER IN POOR REPAIR; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO AVOID AIR ESCAPING FROM UNIT.
47
95
Nov 15, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE FRYER NEEDS CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE, CLEAN FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BLADE OF THE CAN OPENER AT THE PREP TABLE IN THE KITCHEN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE GREASE.
55
90
Jun 21, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 3/26/2020 AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. #58 OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR SOME CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
60
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND PREP TABLES WHERE NEEDED.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS BEHIND DEEP FREEZER AND IN CORNER AREAS WHERE NEEDED
55
82
Mar 26, 2020
Routine
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
1
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE IN A VERIFIABLE MANNER EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN WASHROOM AND PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. A CERTIFIED MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012
2
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NO INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON PREP TABLES, COOLERS AND SHELVING UNITS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FAUCET MISSING ON PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE AND WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO OPERABLE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
47
Mar 26, 2019
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Can't Believe It's Not Meat last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Can't Believe It's Not Meat on file is from May 30, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Can't Believe It's Not Meat?
Across the inspection record, “allergen training as required” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Can't Believe It's Not Meat.
Has Can't Believe It's Not Meat's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Can't Believe It's Not Meat have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Can't Believe It's Not Meat 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 Can't Believe It's Not Meat inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Can't Believe It's Not Meat is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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