Caro Mio Italian Ristorante
Last inspected: Jul 23, 2025
58
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Caro Mio Italian Ristorante, the earliest from 2021. The most recent visit was on Jul 23, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around five violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, showing up seven times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Caro Mio Italian Ristorante trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 23, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: NOTED PREPARED TCS FOODS SUCH AS LASAGNA, COOKED PASTA AND RICE HELD IN THE TWO DOOR TALL REACH-IN COOLER OVERNIGHT NOT DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. REVIEWED PROPER DATE LABELING. FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
23
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: SUMMARY REPORT FROM REPORT #2605882 ON 11-4-24 NOT POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CUSTOMERS. SUMMARY NOTED POSTED IN THE KITCHEN WITH NO CUSTOMER ACCESS. TODAYS SUMMARY POSTED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B) CITATION ISSUED.
61
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS BEING STORED ON REAR PATIO AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE INVERTED AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYEES ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING LINENS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: BOTTOM METAL SHELVING OF REAR PREP AREA PREP TABLE WITH EXCESSIVE RUST. MUST REMOVE AND MAKE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
58
Nov 4, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2586556 DATED:12/08/2023 #58--2-102.13: **C** Allergen Training - All certified food service sanitation managers employed by a restaurant must receive or obtain training in basic allergen awareness principles within 30 days after employment and every 3 years thereafter. Training programs must be accredited by the American National Standards Institute or another reputable accreditation agency under the ASTM International E2659-09 (Standard Practice for Certificate Programs). OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2 DOOR STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE CHEST FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.
51
78
Dec 8, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILE NEAR REAR LARGE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. FLOOR TILE HOLE HAD WATER POOLING INSIDE OF IT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR TILE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.
58
86
Apr 27, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE CUTTING BOARD WITH STAIN AND DEEP SEAMS IN PREP/COOKING AREA.
47
95
Feb 1, 2021
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.19 OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE RACKS OR REPLACE THEM.
47
95
Jan 29, 2021
License
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STANDING WATER NEARLY FILLED TO THE TOP OF THE FLOOR DRAIN NEXT TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND WALK-IN COOLER. THE WATER WAS NOT DRAINING AND THE FLOOR DRAIN WAS USED TO EMPTY THE CONDENSATE LINE FROM THE WALK-IN COOLER AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO THAT THE DRAIN FUNCTIONS PROPERLY AND IS NOT FILLED WITH STANDING WATER. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
51
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL OR SHOW LOCATION OF THE GREASE TRAP.
52
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE BUILDUP OF GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS.
56
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE FREEZERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE RACKS OR REPLACE THEM.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER CABINETS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE WAS LOCATED AT THE SUPPLY LINE FOR THE ICE MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
51
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Caro Mio Italian Ristorante last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Caro Mio Italian Ristorante on file is from Jul 23, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Caro Mio Italian Ristorante?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Caro Mio Italian Ristorante.
Has Caro Mio Italian Ristorante's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Caro Mio Italian Ristorante have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Caro Mio Italian Ristorante 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 Caro Mio Italian Ristorante inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Caro Mio Italian Ristorante is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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