Inkwell

1039 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Oct 24, 2025
95
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Inkwell has three inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Oct 24, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around one violation across recent inspections versus roughly three violations before.

Looking across the full record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” 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.

3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 24, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-304.11 OBSERVED NO WORKING MECHANICAL VENTILATION FAN IN THE REAR WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.
56
95
Oct 17, 2025
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO QAC CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2595093 ON 5/23/24 NOT CORRECTED: 58 - OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WORKING MECHANICAL VENTILATION FAN IN THE REAR WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MISSING A FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
67
May 23, 2024
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER WITHOUT FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS.
58
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Inkwell last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Inkwell on file is from Oct 24, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Inkwell?

Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Inkwell.

Has Inkwell's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Inkwell have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Inkwell means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.