Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe
Last inspected: Jul 29, 2025
90
Score
Inspectors have visited Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe four times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jul 29, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about eight violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, which has been cited three times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe is comfortably above that bar. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 29, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE USE PLASTIC AND CARDBOARD BOXES FOR PASTRIES STORED FACING UP IN THE PASTRY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TRAY TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.
47
90
Dec 2, 2024
Routine
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRIED LEAVES ON GROUND UNDER NEXT TO GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR SALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, REAR STORAGE AND INSIDE BOILER ROOM AREA
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE PREP DISHWASHING AREA.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT DO NOT HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE SHALL COMPLETE AN APPROVED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROGRAM.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL MINERAL BUILD-UP (BEHIND THE FRONT SERVICE CAFE).
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PAINT RAW WOOD (HOT WATER TANK ROOM) DOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA (NEXT TO MEN'S WASHROOM).
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FOR MOP FAUCET IN DISHWASHING AREA.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRAINPIPE FROM AIR CONDITIONER DUMPING INTO HANDSINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY REALIGN (DISPOSE) DRAINPIPE ONTO FLOOR DRAIN.
51
61
Feb 14, 2023
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDSINKS LOCATED IN THE FRONT DISPENSING AND REAR PREPARATION AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP TABLE, LOCATED IN REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN.
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM, LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE FOR THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTH TOILET ROOM DOORS NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING MECHANISM FOR BOTH TOILET ROOM DOORS AND MAINTAIN.
53
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER CONSPICUOUSLY PLACED IN COLD BEVERAGE REACH-IN COOLER, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DISPENSING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLING UNITS.
36
78
Sep 28, 2022
License
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS ARE OFF AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS MUST BE TURNED ON WITH COOLERS AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 41.0 F OR BELOW AND FREEZERS FROZEN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE AND CALIBRATE A METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON-PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
36
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK FROM A LICENSED ILLINOIS PEST CONTROL OPERATOR ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C).
38
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON-PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
5
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO SANITIZING TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO HANDWASH SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A HANDWASH SINK WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER IN THE PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).
10
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NO OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS/OUTSIDE DUMPSTER CONTRACT FOR ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B).
54
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN DISHWASHER HANDWASH SINK AND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.
39
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON MOP SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK.
51
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe on file is from Jul 29, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe.
Has Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Coffee Shop — Mella 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 Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Coffee Shop — Mella Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants