La Colombe
Last inspected: Jul 2, 2025
95
Score
La Colombe has been inspected 13 times since 2011. The latest inspection on file is from Jul 2, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around three violations to closer to zero violations per visit.
“Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 2, 2025
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER ON THE GROUND IN THE BASEMENT REAR STORAGE ROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND STORE REMAINING ITEMS OFF OF THE FLOOR.
55
95
Oct 28, 2022
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Feb 5, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Sep 25, 2018
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2.501.11 NO CLEAN-UP KIT AVAILABLE ON-SITE DURING THE INSPECTION FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE KIT & PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT INVOLVE THE DISCHARGE OF FECAL OR VOMITUS MATTER ONTO SURFACES IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6.201.11 MUST DETAIL DRIED FOOD DEBRIS CLEAN FLOORS BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, DISH AREA, AND IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
55
86
Oct 24, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HAND SINK, LOCATED IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT PAPER TOWELS ARE REQUIRED AT ALL EXPOSED HAND SINKS, WHENEVER FOODS ARE PREPPED AND SERVED. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY CORRECTED VIOLATION DURING INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION #7-38-030
12
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL SOILED DRY AND SOILED WET DISH TOWELS, STORED AT FRONT COUNTER AND BACK COUNTER, UNDER ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE DISH TOWELS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN TASKS AND DESIGNATED AREA FOR SOILED TOWELS. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
43
90
Jul 26, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: POOR HYGENCIC PRACTICES OBSERVED BY FOOD HANDLER. MALE EMPLOYEE TOUCHING HAIR, FACE, HANDLING CASH, AND IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDING TO PREPARING COFFEE/LATTES, HANDLING MILK, USING ESPRESSO MACHINES, AND HANDLING PASTRIES WITHOUT WASHING HANDS AT ANY TIME. INSTD TO WASH HANDS INBETWEEN CHANGING TASKS, AND/OR HAVE DESIGNATED CASHIER. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010A CRITICAL.
6
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: FRONT EXPOSED HANDSINK NOT MAINTAINED, DUMPING ICE AND COFFEE IN SINK, AND RINSING DRAIN TRAYS. INSTD TO UTILIZE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
11
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RAW WOOD STORAGE SHELVES IN REAR. INSTD TO SEAL SAME.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: PREMISES HAD 2 1-COMPARTMENT SINKS THAT WERE REMOVED SINCE BEING LICENSED. INSTD TO RE INSTALL SAME, NECESSITY FOR PREMISES.
38
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: FEMALE FOOD/BEVERAGE HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTD TO DO SO.
42
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. MISSING RECORDS/LOGS AS REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTD TO PROVIDE SAME.
45
74
Dec 14, 2015
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME COFFEE MACHINES AND STORAGE SUPPLIES STORED ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT.MUST ELEVATE ALL STORAGE OFF FLOORS AT LEAST 6 INCHES
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING AREAS,DUSTY ABOVE PREP AREA..MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN
35
90
Dec 10, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOT WATER HANDLE OF FAUCET NOT ABLE TO OPEN,STRIPPED,NOT MAINTAINED AT PREP HAND SINK BEHIND FRONT COUNTER.MUST REPAIR IN 48 HOURS.CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 MUST USE HAND SINK 2FT FROM PREP AREA IN DISH WASHING AREA UNTIL REINSPECTED.
11
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME COFFEE MACHINES AND STORAGE SUPPLIES STORED ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT.MUST ELEVATE ALL STORAGE OFF FLOORS AT LEAST 6 INCHES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING AREAS,DUSTY ABOVE PREP AREA..MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN
35
86
Oct 30, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL SMALL OPENING BETWEEN THE TWO REAR EXIT DOORS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR TOP PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND IN THE PREP AREA AND REMOVE COFFEE BEANS AND OTHER DEBRIS.
34
86
Apr 9, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: FOUND DISHWASHER IN POOR REPAIR, SANITIZING RINSE NOT WORKING. PREMISES NOT ABLE TO SANITIZE DISHES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED #7-38-030.
8
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN INSIDE STORAGE CABINETS TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
33
90
Apr 10, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR CABINETS UNDER MAIN COFFEE STATION TO REMOVE COFFEE GRINDS FROM SHELVES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.MUST CLEAN FLOOR AT MAIN COFFEE SERVICE AREA UNDER WATER SERVING STATION TO REMOVE SPILLED COFFEE BEANS OFF FLOOR.
34
90
Oct 25, 2011
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jun 22, 2011
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Colombe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Colombe on file is from Jul 2, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Colombe?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Colombe.
Has La Colombe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Colombe have averaged around zero violations per visit, down from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Colombe 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 Colombe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Colombe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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