First Sip Cafe
Last inspected: Nov 19, 2025
82
Score
Going back to 2017, First Sip Cafe has six inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 19, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
First Sip Cafe's latest score is in line with the Chicago average of 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 19, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (COFFEE DRINKS THAT CONTAIN MILKS, HEAVY CREAMS, ETC. AND EMPANADAS.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A VISIBLE AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER ON THE INSIDE OF CAFE COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND IN THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA.
36
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES ON SITE DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF BASIC FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
57
82
Aug 29, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM NOT FUNCTIONING. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.
56
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COFFEE DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT OF THE DRY STORAGE SHELVING UNIT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR TILES AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
55
86
Nov 2, 2020
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND KIT AVAILABLE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE SCOOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED. ICE SCOOP HOLDERS STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE AT THE REAR WITH NO ICE SCOOP HOLDERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY COFFEE DUST PARTICLES ON THE COFFEE MACHINE AT THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA ON SHELVES, FLOORS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
55
67
Nov 8, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION OF EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND KIT AVAILABLE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON LARGE CUTTING BOARD IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITZIING BUCKET WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN FRONT OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
55
70
Nov 16, 2017
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR DISH/PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT WITH WATER SOURCE.
38
90
Nov 9, 2017
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: REAR EXIT DOOR TO ALLEY FOUND NOT RODENT PROOFED. OPEN 1/2 INCH GAP ON BOTTOM SEAL OF THE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR SANITIZER TO BE USED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
22
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR DISH/PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
32
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD TEMPERATURE CHECKING.
40
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER ON PREMISES FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
8
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: BOTH MECHANICAL BLOWER HAND DRYING DEVICES IN THE CUSTOMER MENS AND WOMANS WASHROOMS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST REPAIR OR PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
12
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was First Sip Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at First Sip Cafe on file is from Nov 19, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at First Sip Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at First Sip Cafe.
Has First Sip Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at First Sip Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at First Sip 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 First Sip Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, First Sip Cafe is inspected about once every two years on average.
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