Black Pearlcafe
Last inspected: Mar 20, 2025
78
Score
Going back to 2010, Black Pearlcafe has 12 inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 20, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around two violations compared to roughly five violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 20, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION (#58 : ALLERGEN TRAINING) NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2602660 DATE 9/12/24. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090. Violation Codes: 2-102.13 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
60
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH COOLERS ON THE 2nd FLOOR TO REMOVE SPILLS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING IN THE FRONT SERVING AREA AND STORAGE ROOM ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILL AND/OR DEBRIS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE AIR VENT COVERS IN THE 1st FLOOR KITCHEN DUSTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Sep 12, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT HIS ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
58
95
Mar 28, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 24, 2023
Reinspection
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HANDSINKS IN WASHROOMS; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. FOUND THE HOT RUNNING WATER IN THE WASHROOMS AT 47.5F. INSTRUCTED THAT THE HOT RUNNING WATER MUST BE AT A MINIMUM OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) ISSUED. THESE WASHROOMS ARE LOCATED INSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT. EMPLOYEES HAVE ACCESS TO THE CONNECTED SCHOOL TO USE THEIR WASHROOMS.
50
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM MARCH 15, 2023 AS REQUIRED. NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. FOUND NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHLORINE TEST STRIPS TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER AT THE DISHMACHINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION ISSUED 7-42-090. CORRECTED ON SITE. EMPLOYEE WENT TO PURCHASE TEST STRIPS FOR THE DISHMACHINE.
59
78
Mar 15, 2023
Complaint
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HANDSINKS IN WASHROOMS; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. FOUND THE HOT RUNNING WATER IN THE WASHROOMS AT 47.5F. INSTRUCTED THAT THE HOT RUNNING WATER MUST BE AT A MINIMUM OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) ISSUED.
50
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY. FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 ISSUED.
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. FOUND NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR THE THREE COMP SINK OR LOW TEMP DISHMACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHLORINE AND QUAT TEST STRIPS TO TEST THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER AT THE THREE COMP SINK AND DISHMACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 ISSUED.
48
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: NO INSPECTION SUMMARY POSTED AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. FOUND NO INSPECTION SUMMARY POSTED FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION MADE ON APRIL 12, 2019. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B) ISSUED.
61
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNS AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINKS OR IN WASHROOMS ON PREMISES; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. CORRECTED ON SITE.
10
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WERE NOT WEARING THE REQUIRED HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES.
40
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF THE PREP TABLE IN THE KITCHEN ACROSS FROM THE SINKS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN CORNER AREAS OF KITCHEN AND UTILITY CLOSET IN REAR AREA. ALSO CLEAN UNDER STORAGE SHELVES OUTSIDE OF KITCHEN IN PANTRY AND IN HALLWAY AREA.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFICATES MUST BE PRINTED OUT AND KEPT ON PREMISES.
57
50
Apr 12, 2019
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: STORE FOOD CONTAINERS OFF FLOOR IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA 6" BY PROVIDING PROPER RAISED SHELVING.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT DRY FOOD/PAPER GOOD STORAGE AREA OF DEBRIS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN WALL OF FOOD SPLASHES BY REFRIGERATOR AT REAR OF PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
82
Nov 8, 2018
Complaint
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A) NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PIC THAT A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP PROCEDURE MUST BE DOCUMENTED AND THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES ON HAND IN THE EVENT OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE.
57
78
Oct 23, 2017
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
45
95
Oct 13, 2017
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. PREMISES MUST BE SERVICED BY A LICENSED EXTERMINATOR AND WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AND AVAILABLE UPON INSPECTION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
18
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON DUTY OR CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012A
21
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030
22
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN FAN GUARD INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER NEAR ICE MACHINE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN DUCT VENT IN PREP AREA(DUST BUILDUP).
35
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION AT THE REQUIRED PPM.
43
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
45
67
Sep 16, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN HAND WASH SINK AND 3-COPM SINK; MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD.
32
95
May 21, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE.FOUND 15 LBS OF COOKED GROUND BEEF AT 58.4F, BEEF STORED IN TIGHLTY COVERED CONTAINERS IN PREP COOLER FROM A DAY BEFORE. INSTRUCTED MGR TO COOL DOWN FOOD ACCORDING TO HEALTH CODE AND HOLD AT PROPER TEMP. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 (A). FOOD ITEMS DISCARDED VALUED AT $50.
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: A SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN HAND WASH SINK AND 3-COPM SINK.
32
90
Sep 29, 2010
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER 3 COMP SINK AND THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. ALSO SEAL ANY OPENINGS IN FLOORS IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT RODENT OR INSECT HARBORAGE.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST SCRAPE AND REPAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS AROUND MOP SINK.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST REPAIR THE LEAKY FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Black Pearlcafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Black Pearlcafe on file is from Mar 20, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Black Pearlcafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Black Pearlcafe.
Has Black Pearlcafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Black Pearlcafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Black Pearlcafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Black Pearlcafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Black Pearlcafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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