Dark Matter Coffee
Last inspected: Sep 5, 2025
95
Score
Across the available record, Dark Matter Coffee has 15 inspections on file, the first dated 2012. The most recent report on file is from Sep 5, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing eight times across the record.
Dark Matter Coffee's latest score of 95 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 5, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.
47
95
Aug 27, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN COFFEE PROCESSING/GRINDING & PACKAGING AREA MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER,SOAP & TOWELS(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.
47
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR SMALL REFRIGERATOR AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT SERVICE COUNTER.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (SQUEEZE BOTTLES,ETC)
37
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL REPACKAGED DESSERTS ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
38
70
Dec 16, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT ESPECIALLY UNDER THE PALLETS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
57
90
Jul 27, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DEBRIS ON SIDE OF ICE MACHINE AND BEHIND LOW-TEMP DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Aug 25, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE FRONT MINI REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE REAR (ROASTING AREA) UNISEX STAFF TOLIET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE PRODUCTION/ROASTING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
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
82
Apr 12, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE IN PREP AREA SCOOPING ICE, POURING MILK AND COFFEE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. ALL EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD ITEMS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT (HAT, HAIR NET, SCARF).
40
95
Jun 15, 2020
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: FOUND INTERIOR WHITE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND DRIED AND LOOSE COFFEE DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND BROKEN TOILET LID ON TOILET, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: FOUND BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB IN REAR DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT AND MAINTAIN.
56
78
Aug 6, 2019
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONCRETE WALLS IN BOTH PRODUCTION AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
95
Aug 1, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT THE HAND SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM (70.7 DEGREE F). INSTRUCTED THAT THE MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE HAND SINK SHOULD BE 100 DEGREE F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND CLEAN UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GRIME AND DIRT ON THE INSIDE PLANK OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONCRETE WALLS IN BOTH PRODUCTION AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
58
Jul 15, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT CORNERS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENTS IN THE TOILETS ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL THE WALL UNDER THE WASH BOWL IN THE REAR TOILET ROOM. ALSO, PROVIDE COVING TO THE LOWER WALLS THROUGH OUT, SEALING ALL THE OPENIGS/GAPS. MAINTAIN SAME.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE THE CLUTTER IN BOTH BASEMENT AND ORGANIZE AREAS. MUST HANG ALL MOPS UP TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
86
Jun 24, 2015
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE LEAK AT THE DRAIN LINE BELOW THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO THE ROASTING AREA.
38
95
Jul 3, 2014
License
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF CART NEXT TO DISH MACHINE.MUST RECAULK HAND SINK IN FRONT TOILET ROOM.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE DOOR HANDLE ON VANITY IN FRONT TOILET ROOM.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER,TABLES,EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND BASEMENT.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE AND MISSING WALL BASES IN DISH WASHING AREA,ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA,THRESHOLD AT FRONT DOOR,WALLS AND CEILINGS NOT FINISHED IN PRODUCTION AREA AND ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA & LAB CLOSET.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT THROUGHOUT PREMISES.MUST CLEAN CEILING NEAR ICE MACHINE.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ROASTING FLOOR & PRODUCTION AREA,LIGHT SHIELDS IN LAB AREA.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN REAR TOILET ROOM.MUST REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION COVER IN PRODUCTION AREA.MUST CLEAN VENTILATION UNIT IN ROASTING FLOOR.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT HAND SINK NEAR ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ARTICLES & EQUIPMENT OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.
41
70
Mar 22, 2013
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A WALL IN A SECOND GRINDING AREA THAT HAS EXPOSED BRICK. MUST SEAL THIS BRICK WALL WITH A SEALANT. AREA IS NOT BEING USED, MACHINE HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR GRINDING BUT NOT OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME. EXPOSED HANDSINK IS ALSO ACCESSIBLE TO THIS AREA FOR HANDWASHING.
35
95
Sep 18, 2012
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 27, 2012
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: THE FLOORS ARE UNEVEN ROUGH BRICK IN THE BREWING AREA AND THERE ARE GAPS IN THE CORNERS AND NO COVING IN THE ROASTING AREA, REPAIR THE FLOORS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH AND SANITARY.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: THE PROCESSING ROOM HAS DARK COLORED WALLS AND GAPS IN THE CEILINGS, RESEAL THE WALLS AND CEILINGS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH, SANITARY AND EASY TO MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: THE LIGHTING ABOVE THE COFFEE ROASTING AND GRINDING AREA IS NOT SHIELDED, SHEILD ALL GLASS BULBS IN ALL AREAS WHERE OPEN FOODS ARE STORED AND PROCESSED.
36
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: THE BATHROOM DOORS ARE NOT SELF CLOSING, INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES.
37
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dark Matter Coffee last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dark Matter Coffee on file is from Sep 5, 2025. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dark Matter Coffee?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Dark Matter Coffee.
Has Dark Matter Coffee's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Dark Matter Coffee have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Dark Matter Coffee 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 Dark Matter Coffee inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dark Matter Coffee is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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