Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe

5549 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Dec 17, 2021

Score

High Risk

Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2013. On Dec 17, 2021, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record. The file hasn't been updated since Dec 17, 2021, so take the current picture with that in mind.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to 10 violations.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe trails the local norm. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 17, 2021

Routine

5 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 10 violations

Summary report displayed and visible to the public

Inspector notes: PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM (01/24/2017) WAS NOT DISPLAYED FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW.TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY WAS ISSUED AND MUST BE DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010 (B).

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A HANDWASHING SINK ACCESSIBLE TO THE FRONT AND REAR BAR AREAS WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER, SUPPLIED WITH SOAP AND HAND PAPERTOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

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

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES AND NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED,HANDLED, AND OR SERVED.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATES.(NO TCS FOODS IN THE PREMISES AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION).PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,NO CITATION ISSUED.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT KITCHEN ICE MACHINE. MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

Sewage & waste water properly disposed

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL GREASE TRAP BOX/INTERCEPTOR CONNECTED UNDERNEATH KITCHEN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE WOMEN WASHROOM.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULBS IN KITCHEN AREA AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.

Jan 24, 2017

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector notes: FOUND GARBAGE BAG BEING USED TO STORE ICE INSIDE THE REACH IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WITH FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAG. MUST REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS A SHELVE LINER AND ALL OVER THE EXTERIOR OF THE STOVE.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector notes: SEAL HOLE ON THE CEILING ABOVE THE REACH IN FREEZER AND MAINTAIN. MEN'S WASHROOM CEILING VENT COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN,REMOVE DUST AND MAINTAIN.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector notes: BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS ABOVE THE PREP TABLES IN THE PREP/KITCHEN AREA AND ON THE HOOD/CANOPY. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. ALSO MISSING END CAPS TO HOLD THE PLASTIC LIGHT SHIELD ON ALL THE LIGHT BULBS IN THE PREP/KITCHEN AREA. MUST PROVIDE.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: NO EXPOSED HAND SINK IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR BAR. MUST INSTALL WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AND PROVIDE PAPER TOWEL AND HAND SOAP. MUST INSTALL A GREASE TRAP BOX UNDER THE 3 COMPT SINK.

Oct 11, 2013

Routine

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe on file is from Dec 17, 2021. The public record contains three inspections in total.

Has Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Samantha's Restaurant & Cafe 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.

Nearby Restaurants

Total Nutrition Belmont

5550 W Belmont Ave

Score: 58 — Medium Risk

Harrity's Sports Bar & Grill

3147 N Central Ave

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Harrity's Sports Bar & Grill

3147 N Central Ave

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

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