Southport Grocery and Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 24, 2026
74
Score
The health department has logged six inspections at Southport Grocery and Cafe, the earliest from 2023. The most recent report on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to three violations before.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 24, 2026
Routine
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: FOUND NO VARIANCE ON-SITE FOR THE PICKLING, CANNING, ACIDIFICATION, AND FERMINTATION COOKING PROCESS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION #29.
32
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: FOUND NO HACCP ONSITE FOR PICKLING, CANNING, ACIDIFICATION, AND FERMINTATION AN HACCP IS REQUIRED FOR SAID PROCESSES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SUBMIT HACCP AND VARIANCE FOR APPROVAL FOR ALL PROCESS. ALL ITEMS 4004 POUNDS WITH A COST OF $35,000 TAGGED AT TIME OF INSPECTION, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NOT SALE OR CONSUME SAID PRODUCT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED
29
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PRESET TABLEWARE AT ALL DINING TABLES. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL PRESET TABLEWARE (UTENSILS AND GLASSWARE) SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED, OR SET TABLES UPON CUSTOMER ARRIVAL AND MAINTAIN.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3 COMP SINK ON 2ND FLOOR DISH AREA LEAKING FROM PIPES BELOW 3RD BASIN INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
55
74
May 14, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR NOT WORKING. MUST INSTALL A WORKING SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND UNDERNEATH DISHWASHING AREA IN FOOD PREPARATION LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR. OBSERVED DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES ON IN FRONT OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA LOCATED IN THE 1ST FLOOR. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
May 6, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ICE NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF BLACK AND PINK BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE. ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT#2597939 ON 07/23/2024. VIOLATION#55. OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT ABOVE 1ST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE PEELING CEILING PAINT AT SAID LOCATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT COFFEE PREP AREA AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH PRODUCT NAME WHEN NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS IN THE 1ST AND 2ND FLOOR. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE ICE BUCKETS IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
43
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS A LNER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP/SERVING LINE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE OF ICE BUILD UP INSIDE CHEST FREEZER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE AND MAINTAIN.
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR NOT WORKING. MUST INSTALL A WORKING SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN THE 2ND FLOOR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER FOOD STORAGE SHELVING AND UNDERNEATH DISHWASHING AREA IN FOOD PREPARATION LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR. OBSERVED DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES ON IN FRONT OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA LOCATED IN THE 1ST FLOOR. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS OR FOOD STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE STORAGE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHT BULBS ON BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPLACE BURN OUT LIGTHS AND MAINTAIN INTENSITY LIGHTING AT ALL TIMES.
56
47
Jul 23, 2024
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT ABOVE 1ST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE PEELING CEILING PAINT AT SAID LOCATION.
55
95
Jul 16, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED BLACK DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. ALL ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED.
16
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON PREP COOLERS REACH IN COOLERS CONDENSERS ALONG COOKLINE. MUST CLEAN COOLERS CONDENSERS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BROKEN CAULKING BETWEEN HANDWASHING SINK AND WALL AT 1ST FLOOR PREP AREA. REPAIR ISSUE.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING CEILING PAINT ABOVE 1ST FLOOR REAR PREP AREA ABOVE PREP TABLE. MUST REMOVE PEELING CEILING PAINT AT SAID LOCATION.
55
78
Aug 15, 2023
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO HANDSIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN.SIGN MUST BE PROVIDED IN ALL HANDWASHING SINK
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: A GAP OF 1/4" AT BOTTOM FRONT DOOR. REPAIR ISSUE TO MINIMIZE PEST AND INSECT ENTRY
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INVERTED CLEAN PLATES ARE STORED ON PEELING WOOD SURFACE IN DINING AREA.INSRUCTED TO REMOVE OR PROVIDE FOOD GRADE MATERIAL TO STORE SAID PLATES TO MINIMIZE SOURCE CONTAMINATION
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BROKEN CAULKING BETWEEN HANDWASHING SINK AMD WALL INSIDE THE EAST WASHROOM IN DINING AREA. REPAIR ISSUE
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NO VENTILATION PROVIDED INSIDE THE STAFF WASHROOM AT SECOND FLOOR/BAKERY AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
56
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Southport Grocery and Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Southport Grocery and Cafe on file is from Mar 24, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Southport Grocery and Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Southport Grocery and Cafe.
Has Southport Grocery and Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Southport Grocery and Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Southport Grocery and Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Southport Grocery and Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Southport Grocery and Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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