Sandwichon Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
55
Score
Inspectors have visited Sandwichon Cafe four times, with records going back to 2024. The most recent report on file is from Feb 23, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around 10 violations per visit lately, up from roughly six violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible”, showing up three times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Summary report displayed and visible to the public
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM (06/04/2025) 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), CITATION ISSUED.
61
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE.HAND SINK BEING BLOCKED BY A LARGE FULL SHEET TRAY WITH BAKED PASTRIES WHILE FOOD HANDLERS ACTIVELY PREPARING FOODS AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER REMOVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030, CITATION ISSUED.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN/MISSING THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLERS LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE ACCURATE, WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE SAID COOLERS.
36
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE KITCHEN STAND-UP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVES IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PAINT OR SEAL THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MAKER.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WATERSTAINED CEILING TILES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN.
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55
Jun 4, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE USE BARE HANDS ON READY TO EAT FOOD. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER ASSEMBLE BREAKFAST SANDWICH (TOAST, EGG, HAM) WITH BARE HANDS TO SERVE TO CUSTOMER. MUST USE GLOVES OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE APPROVED METHODS WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOOD AND PRODUCTS. APPROXIMATELY 1LB AT $8 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. FOOD HANDLER WASHED HANDS AND PUT ON GLOVES WHEN INSTRUCTED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED
9
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO INACCESSIBLE HANDWASHING SINKS ON SITE. THERE AS AN EMPTY DETERGENT BOTTLE IN THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. THERE WAS A FULL SHEET TRAY WITH BAKED PASTRIES AND A CUTTING BOARD COVERING THE ENTIRE BASIN OF THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HANDWASHING SINKS SO THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEE USE. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS WERE CLEARED WHEN INSTRUCTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C), CITATION ISSUED
10
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
2
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS AND SQUIRT BOTTLES NOT LABELED IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON FOOD NAME AND MAINTAIN.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WHITE RICE AND YELLOW RICE INSIDE THE HOT HOLDING UNITS INSIDE FOOD 4 LESS DISPOSABLE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE SURFACES FOR STORING FOOD ITEMS.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPOONS AND FORKS NOT INVERTED IN AT THE DRAIN BOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE SURFACES UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILLS UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD WITH GREASE BUILD UP AND IN NEED OF CLEANING.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE PIPE UNDER THE RINSE COMPARTMENT OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. LEAK IS CAUSING FLOOR TO BE WET. ALSO, FOUND THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH A SLOW DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE DOOR TO THE TOILET ROOM NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON MENTIONED DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
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52
Dec 6, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
58
90
Dec 3, 2024
License
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INCORRECT CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENUS. ITEMS NOT STARRED ON MENU FOR UNDERCOOKED OR RAW ITEMS (EGGS, BURGERS, ETC.) INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT CONSUMER ADVISORY BY ADDED REMINDER (*) NEXT TO ITEMS THAT ARE NOT FULLY COOKED. MUST PROVIDE FOOTNOTE THAT STATES IF ITEMS ARE SERVED RAW OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION
25
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: FOUND METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES INOPERABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A WORKING THERMOMETER AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
36
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE FOR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FACILITY
10
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
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58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sandwichon Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sandwichon Cafe on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sandwichon Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Sandwichon Cafe.
Has Sandwichon Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Sandwichon Cafe have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sandwichon Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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