La Cafeteria
Last inspected: Mar 27, 2026
95
Score
La Cafeteria appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 27, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible”, which has been cited three times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 27, 2026
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REAR FLOOR MISSING FLOOR TILES. WOOD IS BEING USED AS A SUBSTITUTE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES TO ENSURE FLOOR IS EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
95
Mar 24, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE WASTE WATER DISPOSAL AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. WHEN ONE COMPARTMENT DRAINS ANOTHER ONE FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED
52
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 OF 3 HAND WASHING SINKS WITH NO PAPER TOWELS/ HAND DRYING PROVISIONS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MANAGER SUPPLIED PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION CONSOLIDATED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OBSERVED 2 OF 3 HAND WASHING SINKS IN FACILITY WITH NO SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SOAP TO ALL HAND WASHING SINK. MANAGER HAD SOAP BOUGHT INSIDE AND PLACED AT HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TINES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
64
Feb 24, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 3, 2025
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT DATED 4/22/24 INSPECTION # 25931516 NOT CORRECTED INCLUDING VIOLATION #10 OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION #28 OBSERVED PROPANE TANK AND PROPANE POWERED HOT PLATES USED IN REAR PREP AREA FOR TEA PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PROPANE TANK AND EQUIPMENT FROM PREMISES AND ONLY USE APPROVED COOKING EQUIPMENT. #51 UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTER AT ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.#56 6-304.11 OBSERVED TURBO CHEF OVEN IN REAR PREP AREA USED FOR EXTENSIVE COOKING SUCH AS PREPARING HAMBURGERS, EGGS, ETC. NOT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTIALATION. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090
60
90
Apr 22, 2024
License
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF EMPLOYEE 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 REPSONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT CONTAINING 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
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 FOOD EMPLOYEE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAININ AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PROPANE TANK AND PROPANE POWERED HOT PLATES USED IN REAR PREP AREA FOR TEA PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PROPANE TANK AND EQUIPMENT FROM PREMISES AND ONLY USE APPROVED COOKING EQUIPMENT.
28
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTER AT ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT (COOLERS, COFFEE EQUIPMENT, ETC) IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM PREMISES.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TURBO CHEF OVEN IN REAR PREP AREA USED FOR EXTENSIVE COOKING SUCH AS PREPARING HAMBURGERS, EGGS, ETC. NOT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTIALATION. INSTRUCTED TO PLACE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH MECHANICAL VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHTBULB IN CEILING OF REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Cafeteria on file is from Mar 27, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Cafeteria.
Has La Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Cafeteria have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Cafeteria 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 La Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Cafeteria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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