Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
45
Score
The health department has logged three inspections at Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago, the earliest from 2024. On Feb 23, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 16 violations per visit versus roughly 10 violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged seven times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
16
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
License
16 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARDS ON THE SIDES OF THE HANDWASHING SINK AT THE FRONTLINE/PREP AREA NEAR THE BEVERAGE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE/INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED IMPROPERLY IN THE DISHWSHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS STORED IMPROPERLY DIRECTLY INSIDE OF DRY FOOD CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE UTENSILS PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
43
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLATES STORED IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT PLATES.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEM(S) STORED IMPROPERLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAG(S) IN THE FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND/OR CONTAINERS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCESSIVE CLUTTER IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY LEADING TO THE BACK YARD, IN THE BACK YARD, SHED AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAR CLUTTER AND REMOVE ALL UNUSED/OLD ARTICLES AND/OR EQUIPMENT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP STORED IMPROPERLY IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL CEILING OPENINGS/HOLES AND CRACKS IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE DAMAGED/BROKEN CEILING DRYWALL/PLASTER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE EXHAUST VENTILATION IN THE WOMEN AND MEN WASHROOMS AND ON THE EXHAUST FANS ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD-UP AT THE STOVE/GRILL AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE REAR FOOD STORAGE AND BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BURNED-OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE DISHWASH, FRONTLINE/PREP AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB(S).
56
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THE DISHWASH AREA. INSTUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE FREEZERS IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY AND INSIDE THE FREEZERS IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE FOOD STORAGE/PANTRY AREA WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY ON THE FLOOR IN THE STORAGE/PANTRY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
39
45
Jun 13, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 19 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS BY FEMALE EMPLOYEE OBSERVED HER REMOVE TOAST FROM TOASTER WITH BARE HANDS AND PLACE ON PLATE FOR CUSTOMER.FOOD ITEM WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER .MUST PROVIDE TONGS ,DELI PAPER OR GLOVES TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
9
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C)(CITATION ISSUED)
38
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF 3- LIVE ROACHES CRAWLING ON WHEEL BASE OF ROLLING CART IN REAR KITCHEN, FROM INSIDE OF A SHOE BEHIND 3-DOOR REACH IN COOLER, ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT NEAR HOT WATER TANK AND SEVERAL DEAD SCATTERED THROUGHOUT PREMISES.ALSO, EVIDENCE OF 4-RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR NEXT TO REAR REACH IN FREEZER, UNDER TABLE AND NEAR TOOL SHELF IN BASEMENT AMONGST MASSIVE CLUTTER, POSSIBLE RODENT HARBORAGE AREA.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS.CLEAN AND SANITIZED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 6/13/25.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
38
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
3
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (BULK,SHAKERS,SQUEEZE BOTTLES,ETC.)
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF ENCLOSED REAR PATIO DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT INSECT ENTRY.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD ON BOTH SIDES OF HAND SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA NEXT TO DISHES.
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE ON SURFACES.
41
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN FREEZERS MUST PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR FOOD STORAGE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLE,FRYER CABINET,PIPES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT,PREP TABLES, SERVICE COUNTERS,INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.MUST DEFROST ICE BUILD UP IN REACH IN & CHEST FREEZERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL ALL GAPS,CRACKS AND CREVICES IN WALLS THROUGHOUT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT PREMISES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS,DISH WASHING AND BASEMENT.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD SPLATTER FROM WALLS IN PREP/DISH WASHING AREAS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE,ELEVATE AND ORGANIZE MASSIVE CLUTTER FROM REAR YARD AND ATTACHED SHED AT GARAGE,BASEMENT,FRONT SERVICE COUNTER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
58
30
Dec 20, 2024
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago.
Has Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago have averaged around 16 violations per visit, up from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Pax Cafe — Sunrise Cafe Chicago means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
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