Firecakes
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
95
Score
Firecakes has been inspected 16 times since 2013. The most recent visit was on Nov 13, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “all food employees have food handler training” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13---OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
57
95
Nov 12, 2025
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR-STAND-UP-COOLER.OBSERVED MILKS AT 47.8F AND HALF & HALF CREAMS AT 47.5F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 50#'S OF FOOD WORTH $45.00. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR STAND-UP-COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.7F.THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE (TCS FOODS) MILKS AND HALF & HALF CREAMS ETC.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID COOLER AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED REFRIGERATION REPAIR SERVICE.THE SAID COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED.(SEE COMMENTS BELOW).PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
33
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.
57
70
Aug 12, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: No hands washing signs in employees rest room, instructed to post.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Live plants placed above open food, instructed to keep away.
39
90
May 3, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CRATES USED AS SHELVING AND STORAGE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS EASY TO MONITOR DEBRIS UNDERNEATH, AND CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, DURABLE, EASILY CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION NOT FOUND ON THE ESPRESSO MACHINE AND COFFEE MACHINE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
51
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: EXTERIOR ALLEY EXIT DOOR HAS A OPEN GAP ON BOTTOM OF THE DOOR, ALLOWS FOR PESTS. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE: SELF-CLOSING, SOLID AND TIGHT FITTING, AND LIMITED TO DESIGNATED USE.
38
86
Oct 29, 2021
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 28, 2021
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DID NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE AVAILABLE OR POSTED ONSITE, WHILE TCS FOODS, MILK, ARE BEING SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED MANAGER ONSITE AT ALL TIMES, PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
90
Oct 23, 2020
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT LEAK AT EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
95
Apr 9, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 23, 2019
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: REAR KITCHEN FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING AN EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAIN, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR.
40
95
Nov 6, 2018
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14 (N)- OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A). NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11- FOUND NO COMPLETE PROCEDURES ON SITE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMITING AND DIAREAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUE
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14--OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS IN WOMAN'S RESTROOM ON 2ND FLOOR AND MEN'S RESTROOM ON 3RD FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11- OBSERVED PASTRY ITEM STORED ON TOP SURFACE OF FOOD SHIELD WITH NO COVERS OR LID. MANAGER CONFIRMED ITEM TO BE FOR DISPLAY ONLY. INFORMED MANGER THAT DISPLAYED FOOD ITEMS MUST HAVE SIGNAGE AND POSTED IN PLAIN VIEW. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNAGE FOR DISPLAYED ONLY FOOD ITEMS AND POST IN PLAIN VIEW OF THE CUSTOMER.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: 2-402.11- OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER AT FRONT COUNTER AREA PREPPING APPLES SLICES WITHOUT HAIR NETS/RESTRAINTS. INFORMED MANAGER THAT HAIR RESTRAINTS ARE REQUIRED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR NETS/RESTRAINTS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
40
70
Feb 9, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Wash and rinse water: clean and proper temperature
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE HOT WATER OF 75.3F AT TIME OF INSPECTION FROM HOT WATER FAUCET. ELECTRIC BREAKER WAS RESET DURING INSPECTION AND HOT WATER TEMPERATURE INCREASED TO 110F. HOT WATER MUST BE MAINTAINED TO A MINIMUM OF 110F AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
7
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS BEING SERVED INCLUDING MILK. OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE POSTED. MUST HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MADNGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
21
90
Mar 10, 2016
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: 2-DOOR STAND UP REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS.
32
95
Jan 23, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
30
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB ON THE HOOD. MUST REPLACE LIGHT BULB.
36
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING AND PREPARING FOOD MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT TO CONFINE HAIR.
42
86
Apr 9, 2014
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Dec 20, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP STORED IMPROPERLY, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A CLEAN SURFACE/ CONTAINER.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CRACKS AND CREVICES IN WALL NEXT TO 3-COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL.
35
90
Jan 8, 2013
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Firecakes last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Firecakes on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Firecakes?
Across the inspection record, “all food employees have food handler training” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Firecakes.
Has Firecakes' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Firecakes have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Firecakes 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 Firecakes inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Firecakes is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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