Harding Cafe
Last inspected: Sep 22, 2025
86
Score
Across the available record, Harding Cafe has six inspections on file, the first dated 2021. The most recent visit was on Sep 22, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around seven violations to closer to two violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
Harding Cafe's latest score of 86 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 22, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP GREATER THAN 1/4" BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOOR FRAME OF THE EXTERIOR DOOR (NEAR GARAGE DOORS) IN THE REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DOOR TO ELIMINATE GAP AND MAINTAIN ALL OUTER OPENINGS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM ENTRY OF INSECTS AND OTHER PESTS.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE TRAYS OF COOKED TOMATOES COOLING ON OPEN, UNCOVERED TRAYS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE COVER OF FOOD ITEMS OR STORE IN AN AREA SUCH THAT IT IS NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH, DUST, OR OTHER CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN-USE KNIFE STORED IN CARDBOARD WEDGED BETWEEN COOLER LIDS IN THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN IN-USE UTENSILS ON AN EASILY-CLEANABLE, SANITIZED SURFACE IN BETWEEN USES AND MAINTAIN.
43
86
Nov 15, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 13, 2023
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE BASEMENT WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REORGANIZE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ITEMS TO PREVENT PES HARBORAGE. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM LEFT OF THE GARAGE DOOR IN REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF DOOR (LEADS TO ANOTHER BUSINESS) IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH WHITE MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN THE KITCHEN.
49
82
Aug 22, 2022
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD IN FRONT BAR HAND SINK NEXT TO DRAINBOARD OF 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD AND MAINTAIN.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN LOCATION OUTSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE.
43
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
57
86
Jul 26, 2021
Reinspection
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT WASHBOWL IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER BEING USED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO PROPERTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER FROM GARAGE AND STORE INSIDE FACILITY.
39
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS AVAILABLE FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT, ICE MACHINE AT BAR, AND UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT RULES, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM AND IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATOR IN GARAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
58
Jul 22, 2021
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPTY 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN PREP AREA MAINTAINING IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 46.0F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES 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: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT WASHBOWL IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER BEING USED IN GARAGE ATTACHED TO PROPERTY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER FROM GARAGE AND STORE INSIDE FACILITY.
39
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS AVAILABLE FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT, ICE MACHINE AT BAR, AND UTILITY SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT RULES, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM AND IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATOR IN GARAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MANAGER ON DUTY WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Harding Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Harding Cafe on file is from Sep 22, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Harding Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Harding Cafe.
Has Harding Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Harding Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Harding 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 Harding Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Harding Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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