Collaboration Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 7, 2025
82
Score
Collaboration Cafe has been inspected seven times since 2018. On Mar 7, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “adequate ventilation & lighting”, showing up four times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, this is about average. The record reflects steady performance over time.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 7, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP OF CARBON ON FILTERS IN ALL 3 HOODS OVER COOK LINES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN FRONT PREP NEXT TO WINDOW FACING PARKING LOT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED, BROKEN ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULBS IN ALL 3 HOODS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
82
Jun 6, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON CAULK AROUND DISH RACK NEAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CAULK, CLEAN, SANITIZE, RE-CAULK, AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER FLAT TOP GRILL ON FRONT PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULBS IN HOODS IN FRONT AND REAR FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK INGREDIENT CONTAINERS OF FLOUR ETC. NOT LABELLED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME.
37
82
Oct 11, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT BUILD UP INSIDE MAIN PREP AREA ICE MACHINE UPPER PORTION. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
40
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING CERTIFICATES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
82
May 11, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSRVED PREPACKAGED SALADS AND SANDWICHES WITHOUT PROPER LABELING INDICATING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF WHERE THE FOOD ITEMS ARE MADE. ALL PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS MUST CONTAIN THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT, NAME AND ADDRESS OF WHERE PRODUCT WAS MADE, INGREDIENT LIST.
37
95
May 24, 2019
Routine
5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE OR REMINDER OF RAW AND UNDER COOKED FOODS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED) STATEMENT THAT EATING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
5
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING POTS USED FOR SOUP COOKING TO BE BIGGER THAN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK(OR DISH MACHINE) AND CANT BE SUBMERGED IN WASH WATER IN SINK.MUST USE SMALLER POTS OR MUST PROVIDE CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR EACH SEPARATE PIECE OF FOOD-CONTACT EQUIPMENT WITH DESCRIPTION HOW TO BE CLEANED IN PLACE AND/OR .MUST SUBMIT THE PROCEDURES TO CDPH AT FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG FOR APPROVAL PRIOR TO RE-INSPECTION.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION . 7-38.025 NO CITATION ISSUED
48
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED READY TO EAT, TIME FOR TEMPERATURE SAFETY FOR CONTROL FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATED IN BOTH 2-DOOR COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
23
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION AND HOT HOLDING UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE OUTSIDE EXIT DOOR AIR CURTAIN
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AREA AROUND GREASE CONTAINER AT OUTSIDE TRASH AREA
55
52
Jan 5, 2018
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPIGOT PROTECTION AT CUSTOMER SELF-SERVICE FROZEN DESSERT MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WATER LINE WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TO THE TOP LOADING FROZEN DESSERT MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLUMBERS PUTTY INSIDE THE EXPOSED HANDSINKS LOCATED IN PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
38
90
Jan 4, 2018
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 4 SETS OF EXTERIOR DOORS ALONG CONNECTED BUILDINGS LEADING TO THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AREA,NOT RODENT-PROOFED APPROXIMATELY 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOMS OF DOORS.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPIGOT PROTECTION AT CUSTOMER SELF-SERVICE FROZEN DESSERT MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WATER LINE WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TO THE TOP LOADING FROZEN DESSERT MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLUMBERS PUTTY INSIDE THE EXPOSED HANDSINKS LOCATED IN PREP AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Collaboration Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Collaboration Cafe on file is from Mar 7, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Collaboration Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Collaboration Cafe.
Has Collaboration Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Collaboration Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Collaboration 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 Collaboration Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Collaboration Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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