Hero Coffee Bar
Last inspected: May 29, 2025
82
Score
Hero Coffee Bar appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2018. The most recent visit was on May 29, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been the most frequent reason, cited nine times.
Hero Coffee Bar's latest score is in line with the Chicago average of 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 29, 2025
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE BATHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. MUST PROVIDE A SELF DOOR CLOSING DEVICE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE REQUIRE EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO MANAGERS.
58
82
May 5, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 - OBSERVED DISCOLORED CEILING TILES IN KITCHEN AND CEILING VENT IN GUEST/EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ABOVE TOILET WITH HEAVY DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-202.11 - NOTED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN KITCHEN ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE OR MAINTAIN PROOF ON SITE STATING THAT THE LIGHT BULBS USED ARE SHATTERPROOF.
56
90
Apr 25, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SET UP 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN KITCHEN AND BUCKETS AT FRONT COFFEE STATION WITH CHLORINE SANITIZING SOLUTION WITH A CONCENTRATION OF 200 PPM. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAKE SOLUTIONS WITH 50-100 PPM OF CHLORINE FOR SANITIZING BUCKETS AND 3 COMPARMENT SINK. PERSON IN CHARGE EMPTIED SANITIZING BUCKET AND DRAINED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK/ ADDED ADDITITONAL WATER TO DILUTE TO A CONCENTRATION OF 100 PPM. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE FOR CHLORINE SANITIZER USED IN KITCHEN AND IN SANITIZING BUCKETS HOLDING WIPING CLOTHS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER CONCENTRATION IN SANITIZING SOLUTIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN KITCHEN ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE OR MAINTAIN PROOF ON SITE STATING THAT THE LIGHT BULBS USED ARE SHATTERPROOF.
56
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT COFFEE STATION HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO ENSURE PROPER USE OF HANDSINK.
10
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF NEAR EMPTY COFFEE STATION ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. NOTED TWO STRANDS OF HAIR ON INTERIOR SURFACE AND SLIGHT DISCOLORATION ON EXTERIOR PLATE OF ICE DISPENSER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE AND CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: NOTED NO HAIR RESTRAINTS ON ANY FOOD HANDLERS AT COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WHITE AND ORANGE WIPING CLOTHS ON VARIOUS SURFACES AT COFFEE STATION AND ON CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND HOLD WIPING CLOTHS IN BUCKETS WITH SANIZITER IN BETWEEN USE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
41
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED VARIOUS CEILING TILES ABOVE FOOD PREP AND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN COVERED/REPAIRED WITH ALUMINUM FILM AND BLUE TAPE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DISCOLORED CEILING TILES IN KITCHEN AND CEILING VENT IN GUEST/EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ABOVE TOILET WITH HEAVY DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
52
Aug 13, 2024
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DOOR AT THE BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DOOR AT BATHROOM.
53
95
Aug 6, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO MAINTAINED PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK CONTAINING RECENT SERVICE REPORTS OR THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY'S ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH LICENSE NUMBER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A MAINTAINED PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION AS SPECIFIED IN THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-020(c). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO MANAGER WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED CURRENT PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A MANAGER WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS COFFEE, MILK, AND EGGS ARE HANDLED AND PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DOOR AT THE BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DOOR AT BATHROOM.
53
70
Jun 15, 2020
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST/DEBRIS ON WALLS AROUND AND BEHIND MOP SINK. MUST CLEAN WALLS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEES AT THE PREP AND DISHWASH AREA PREPARING FOOD WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS OR PROTECTION. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS OR PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES.
40
90
Nov 14, 2019
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED DUST ON DUCT VENT ABOVE THE COOKING GRILL. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Nov 5, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED AT ALL TIMES AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER PF. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005
48
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: NOTED FEMALE EMPLOYEES AT THE PREP AREA PREPARING FOOD WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS OR PROTECTION. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS OR PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE
41
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS -
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED DUST ON DUCT VENT ABOVE THE COOKING GRILL. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
61
Sep 18, 2018
Reinspection
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-201.11 FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. MUST PROVIDE.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEANING PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. MUST PROVIDE.
5
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 FOUND NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN SINK AND PREPARATION COOLER AT SIDE PREPARATION AREAS.MUST PROVIDE.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 FOUND CEMENT WALL PILLARS BEHIND FRONT COUNTER NOT SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN. MUST COVER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 4-301.14 FOUND NO EXHAUST HOOD FOR FLAT TOP GRILL AT PREPARATION AREAS. MUST PROVIDE.
56
70
Sep 12, 2018
License
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3.306.11 FOUND FOOD GUARD TOO SHORT AT FRONT COUNTER. PRIORITY VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005. FOOD GUARD MUST BE 60INCHES IN HEIGHT FROM FLOOR.
39
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-201.11 FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. MUST PROVIDE.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEANING PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. MUST PROVIDE.
5
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-307.11 FOUND NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN SINK AND PREPARATION COOLER AT SIDE PREPARATION AREAS.MUST PROVIDE.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 FOUND CEMENT WALL PILLARS BEHIND FRONT COUNTER NOT SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN. MUST COVER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 4-301.14 FOUND NO EXHAUST HOOD FOR FLAT TOP GRILL AT PREPARATION AREAS. MUST PROVIDE.
56
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hero Coffee Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hero Coffee Bar on file is from May 29, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hero Coffee Bar?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Hero Coffee Bar.
Has Hero Coffee Bar's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Hero Coffee Bar have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Hero Coffee Bar 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 Hero Coffee Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hero Coffee Bar is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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