Marcela's Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 23, 2025
100
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Marcela's Cafe stretching back to 2019. The most recent report on file is from Apr 23, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “all food employees have food handler training”, which has been cited four times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Marcela's Cafe is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 23, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 26, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: FOUND CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY ON DRYING RACKS.MUST STORE INVERTED.
44
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOUND FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
57
90
Mar 27, 2023
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4 INCH GAP AT FRONT ENTRANCED DOOR SWEEP. MUST RODENT PROOF SAID DOOR.
38
95
Jun 8, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
57
95
May 31, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE ALL FOODS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT IN THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO ADD A STATEMENT TO THE MENU BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT THAT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE BLOOD AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE 3 DOOR FREEZER IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
57
78
Mar 3, 2021
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE WATER LINES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR BOTH ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE WATER LINES.
51
95
Feb 24, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2345937 DATED ON 11/19/19 NOT CORRECTED-#57 OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. NO CITATION ISSUED.
60
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO THERMOMETER INSIDE SODA STAND UP 2-DOOR COOLER. MUST PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE SAID COOLER.
36
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE WATER LINES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR BOTH ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE WATER LINES.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MIDDLE COMPARTMENT DRAIN PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME MISSING FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
74
Nov 19, 2019
License
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION -NO CITATION ISSUED)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP POLICY AND ITEMS FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND SINKS IN TOILET ROOMS.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL REPACKAGED FOODS (GELATINAS) WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
37
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNT OUT LIGHT AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Marcela's Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Marcela's Cafe on file is from Apr 23, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Marcela's Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “all food employees have food handler training” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Marcela's Cafe.
Has Marcela's Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Marcela's Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Marcela's 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 Marcela's Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Marcela's Cafe is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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