Love & Light Cafe

5107 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Mar 31, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Love & Light Cafe five times, with records going back to 2021. The most recent report on file is from Mar 31, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.

“Non-food/food contact surfaces clean” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 31, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL REACH IN COOLER AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS AROUND EQUIPMENT AND ALONG THE WALL BASE.

Nov 21, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY AS REQUIRED WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING HANDLED, PREPARED OR SERVERD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.

Apr 8, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR SHELVING OF THE REACH IN COOLERS TO REMOVE SPILLS.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS ALONG THE WALL BASE AND IN CORNERS IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.

Oct 24, 2023

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: FOUND NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS BEHIND FRONT SERVING COUNTER; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LOOSE RUBBER GASKET AT THE TWO DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.

Sep 2, 2021

License

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN OPENING IN THE WALL UNDER THE ONE COMP SINK IN REAR PREP AREA; SEAL OPENING IN WALL AROUND PIPES.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Love & Light Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Love & Light Cafe on file is from Mar 31, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Love & Light Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Love & Light Cafe.

Has Love & Light Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Love & Light Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Love & Light 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 Love & Light Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Love & Light Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.

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