Prequel Cafe

1957 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: May 21, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Public records show three inspections at Prequel Cafe stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on May 21, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around one violation, down from roughly four violations earlier in the record.

Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Prequel Cafe on the better side of that line. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 21, 2025

Reinspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: Dry wall around mixer, instructed to install a durable smooth surface around

May 14, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: No pest control service, no log book. Instructed to obtain a licensed pest control service. priority foundation violation 7-38-020(c).

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Inspector notes: I observed the dishwasher drying utensils with a cloth towel after sanitizing. I was instructing them to use the air-dry method only.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: dry wall around mixer, instructed to install a durable smooth surface around.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: Keeping employees' clothing near food production equipment (dough mixers) instructed to keep away.

Aug 4, 2022

License

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE BOTTOM LEFT AND UPPER RIGHT OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE TOILET ROOMS EXHAUST VENTILATION. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Prequel Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Prequel Cafe on file is from May 21, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Prequel Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Prequel Cafe.

Has Prequel Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Prequel Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Prequel 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 Prequel Cafe inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 58 — Medium Risk

Lorraine's Diner

1959 W Chicago Ave

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago