Dirty Tiffs Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 11, 2026
86
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Dirty Tiffs Cafe, the earliest from 2020. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 11, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited seven times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 11, 2026
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: 3-304.14 OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(B) OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, SURROUNDING FLOORS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
49
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS' CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
86
Feb 5, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT KITCHEN PREP HANDWASHING SINK. TEMPERATURE OF WATER WAS 70.0FF AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOGBOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN THE WASHROOM AT THE WASHBOWL SINK NOR AT THE HAND-SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT PAPER TOWELS MUST BE AVAILABLE AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWELS FOR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN, POT ROAST, SHORT RIBS, AND MACCARONI AND CHEESE) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, SURROUNDING FLOORS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS' CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.
58
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
1
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLERS AND DISPLAY COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.
36
43
Jan 30, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A WEATHER STRIP TO PREVENT ENTRY POINT FOR PESTS.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS, DUST AND/OR GREASE ON ATTACHED PIPE AND OTHER WALL FIXTURE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
May 2, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE REAR PREP AREA AND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER. MUST REMOVE AND/OR ORGANIZE TO PREVENT HARBORAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS AND WALLS THROUGH OUT TO REMOVE FOOD SPLATTER.
55
82
Nov 15, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRYERS IN KITCHEN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: THE HOT WATER FAUCET KNOB AT THE THREE COMP SINK FAUCET ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS MISSING; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE FAUCET KNOB. (TWO FAUCETS AT SINK)
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT (REFRIGERATION UNIT AND GREASE RECEPTOR AT SINK).
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: SOME UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE STORAGE CLOSET ACROSS FROM THE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN TO AVOID CLUTTER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WASHROOM IS NOT WORKING; MUST REPAIR.
56
78
Nov 3, 2022
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND THE REAR EXIT SCREEN DOOR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED AS REQUIRED; INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY RODENT PROOF DOORS AS REQUIRED.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW DEVICE LOCATED AT MOP SINK; MUST INSTALL.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
55
82
Sep 30, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM OCTOBER 14, 2020; MUST CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. #57 ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. #58 ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
60
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR AND THE REAR SCREEN DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED AT AT THE BOTTOM; INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF DOORS TO AVOID POSSIBLE RODENT ENTRY.
38
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW DEVICE LOCATED AT MOP SINK; MUST INSTALL.
51
82
Oct 14, 2020
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: HAND WASHING SINK NEEDS TO BE CAULKED AT THE TOP. INSTRUCTED TO CAULK AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MOP SINK HAS NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: FOUND NO TRASH RECEPTACLES IN THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH RECEPTACLES WITH LIDS/COVERS. MAINTAIN SAME.
53
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE THE ONLINE COURSE AND PROVIDE PROOF THE REQUIREMENT WAS MET.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST TAKE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND PROVIDE PROOF THE REQUIREMENT WAS MET.
58
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dirty Tiffs Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dirty Tiffs Cafe on file is from Feb 11, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dirty Tiffs Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Dirty Tiffs Cafe.
Has Dirty Tiffs Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Dirty Tiffs Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Dirty Tiffs 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 Dirty Tiffs Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dirty Tiffs Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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