Ciao! Cafe
Last inspected: Oct 17, 2025
100
Score
Going back to 2010, Ciao! Cafe has 14 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Oct 17, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near one violation per visit.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 17, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 18, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT MAINTAINED WITH A COPY OF ALL SERVICE REPORTS FROM THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY. PREMISES HAS 1 PEST CONTROL RECEIPT DATED 8/12/25. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 SERVICE REPORTS FROM THE PAST YEAR AND MAINTAIN THEM IN THE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
90
Jul 2, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.
57
95
Dec 8, 2022
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jan 23, 2020
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN CORNER AREA OF KITCHEN BY DISH MACHINE.
55
95
May 11, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DUST AND DEBRIS FROM BAR SHELVES AND WINDOW SILLS THROUGHOUT.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DUST ACCUMULATION FROM ALL CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ORGANIZE OR REMOVE CLUTTER FROM FRONT OF BAR (GAMES).
41
86
Nov 16, 2017
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM BAR SHELVING UNITS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST BUILD UP FROM FLOOR IN PREP AND BAR AREA.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION VENT COVER IN KITCHEN.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE ARTICLES AT COUNTER TOP IN BAR AREA AND REAR STORAGE ROOM ALONG WALLS .
41
78
Oct 27, 2017
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE.OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BLACK UNKNOWN BUILD UP ON INTERIOR PANEL AND PARTS OF ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ON TO ICE IN SIDE OF MACHINE.MUST REMOVE ICE,CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE.(SERIOUS 7-38-005A)
16
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE THE POSSIBILTY OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS CAN BE PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED AT THIS TIME WHILE THE BAR IS IN OPERATION SUCH (PASTA,SAUSAGE,CUT FRUIT FOR DRINKS).MUST HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(SERIOUS 7-38-012)
21
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1970929 11/4/16 NOT CORRECTED #45- NO FOOD HANDLER RECORDS, LOGS AVAILABLE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.(SERIOUS 7-42-090)
29
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM BAR SHELVING UNITS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST BUILD UP FROM FLOOR IN PREP AND BAR AREA.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION VENT COVER IN KITCHEN.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE EXCESSIVE ARTICLES AT COUNTER TOP IN BAR AREA AND REAR STORAGE ROOM ALONG WALLS .
41
67
Nov 4, 2016
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT LINE STAINED, WITH DEEP, DARK, GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.
32
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER RECORDS, LOGS AVAILABLE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
45
90
Oct 28, 2016
Complaint
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: LARGE CONTAINER OF COOKED PASTA MARINARA SAUCE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 49.7F IN COOLER. PRODUCT DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 5LBS. $20 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A CRITICAL.
3
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK OR RECENT PROOF OF SERVICE. INSTD TO PROVIDE CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK AND CURRENT PROOF OF SERVICE/RECEIPTS. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
18
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE POSTED, NOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (SAUSAGE). CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012A SERIOUS.
21
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED OR VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. INSTD TO HAVE VISIBLE AND DISPLAYED TO CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-010B SERIOUS.
28
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUBBER GASKET LOOSE, TORN AT FRONT COOLER IN POOR REPAIR, USING TAPE. INSTD TO REPAIR GASKET PROPERLY. CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT LINE STAINED, WITH DEEP, DARK, GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH SLIGHT BUILD-UP. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LARGE POT UNABLE TO COMPLETELY SUBMERGE IN BASIN OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO PROVIDE LARGE ENOUGH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR COMPLETE SUBMERSION OF LARGEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. REPAIR BROKEN FAUCET HANDLE AT EXPOSED HANDSINK. REPLACE SAME.
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER RECORDS, LOGS AVAILABLE. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
45
67
Oct 14, 2011
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. The shelving and utensils are dirty, clean the kitchen shelving and utensils.
32
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. The walls are greasy in the kitchen. Clean and repaint the walls.
35
90
Dec 8, 2010
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. The ice machine has a dirty buildup which needs to be sanitized.
33
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. The wall tiles have dirty grout and need to be cleaned.
35
90
Nov 16, 2010
Routine
No violations found.
100
Aug 9, 2010
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ciao! Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ciao! Cafe on file is from Oct 17, 2025. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ciao! Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Ciao! Cafe.
Has Ciao! Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ciao! Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ciao! Cafe 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 Ciao! Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ciao! Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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