Side Practice Coffee

5139 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The inspection history at Side Practice Coffee is still short, with only two visits logged. Side Practice Coffee was last inspected on Dec 3, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly 15 violations before.

“Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

Side Practice Coffee scores about where you'd expect for a Chicago restaurant. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 3, 2025

Reinspection

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: 2-102.13--- NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: : 6-301.13--- MUST MOVE THE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER CLOSER TO THE HAND WASHING SINK AND NOT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CLEAN DISH RACK AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: 4-602.11(B-E)--- INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE NOTED DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: 3-307.11--- MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND CLEAN DISH DISH RACK.

Dec 1, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.

View 15 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: NOTED INADEQUATE HOT WATER AVAILABLE IN THE STAFF/CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MAXIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE NOTED AT 83.1F AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

Inspector notes: NOTED A FOOD HANDLER DRINKING FROM AN OPEN CUP IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. REVIEWED PROPER EATING/DRINKING REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: MUST MOVE THE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER CLOSER TO THE HAND WASHING SINK AND NOT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CLEAN DISH RACK AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE NOTED DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE SINK AND CLEAN DISH DISH RACK.

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector notes: PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TAPE AS A MEANS OF GUARDS FOR ELECTRICAL CORDS AT THE HAND WASHING SINK. MUST USE A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE MATERIAL FOR ANY GUARD.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZER NOTED WITH FOOD SPILLAGE AND EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: NOTED A BUCKET OF STANDING WATER FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE UNDER THE PIPING OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND REPAIR ANY LEAK FOUND.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: NOTED SOILED MOP HEADS BEING IMPROPERLY STORED. MUST STORE INVERTED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK WHEN NOT IN USE.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGING BEING STORED ON A FOOD PREP SURFACE. MUST PROVIDE PROPER STORAGE FACILITIES FOR STAFF BELONGINGS AWAY FROM FOOD AND FOOD CONTACT AREAS.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Side Practice Coffee last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Side Practice Coffee on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Side Practice Coffee?

Across the inspection record, “adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Side Practice Coffee.

Has Side Practice Coffee's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Side Practice Coffee have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly 15 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Side Practice Coffee means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Kanin

5131 N Damen Ave

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Sweet Virginia's Kitchen

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

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