Stax Cafe
Last inspected: Jul 15, 2025
90
Score
Going back to 2018, Stax Cafe has 13 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Jul 15, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “food properly labeled” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Stax Cafe's latest score of 90 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 15, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: Employees open drinks placed on prep table, Instructed to keep away or with a lid.
6
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Employees food stored with customers food, Instructed to designate a section for employees personal food.
56
90
Jul 12, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 5, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX. 20 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS, CEILING, AND BOXES OF STOCK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, DISH WASHING AREA, AND COFFEE BAR. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES AND COOLERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE THEM IN A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS AND DRY STORAGE SHELVES IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.
49
82
Apr 21, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON PREP COOLER OPPOSITE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
47
95
Jan 21, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOUR TRAYS OF EGGS IN PREP AREA AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 71.7F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 2LBS OF EGGS AT A COST OF $10. ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
86
May 10, 2021
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND NO COMMON FOOD NAMES ON CONTAINERS TAKEN OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINER. MUST PROVIDE.
37
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
90
Apr 29, 2021
Reinspection
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND 7 SMALL FLIES IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA, ALSO NOTED 3 SMALL FLIES IN DISHWASHING AREA. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. MUST MINIMIZE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION .
38
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND NO COMMON FOOD NAMES ON CONTAINERS TAKEN OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINER. MUST PROVIDE.
37
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
82
Apr 27, 2021
Routine
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND BOOK BAG STORED IN HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN REAR FOOD PREPERATION AREA. INSTURCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE BAG. HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE USED FOR HANDWASHING PURPOSES ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38.030(C). CITATION CONSOLIDATED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING CLEANSER AT HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT BAR. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH HAND CLEANING LIQUID AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030-(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT HANDWASHING SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA/ HOT LINE. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A HAND DRYING PROVISION AT ALL TIMES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.CORRECTED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION CONSALIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FOUND 7 SMALL FLIES IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA, ALSO NOTED 3 SMALL FLIES IN DISHWASHING AREA. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. MUST MINIMIZE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: FOUND HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE RANGING FROM 68 F - 72 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A MINNIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100F AT ALL TIMES. 7-38.030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND NO COMMON FOOD NAMES ON CONTAINERS TAKEN OUT OF ORIGINAL CONTAINER. MUST PROVIDE.
37
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND MANAGER WITHOUT PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
58
Apr 23, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 7, 2019
Reinspection
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKINGS TO TCS/RTE FOODS, PREPARED ONSITE AND HELD IN COOLERS OVER 24 HRS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUME BY DATES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENUS REGARDING RAW EGGS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED. (REFER TO HANDOUT)
25
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS BETWEEN HAND SINK AND TABLE TOP GRILL IN PREP AREA, ALSO, BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND ICE BIN AT FRONT PREP COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN GREASE AND DUST ACCUMULATION FROM HOOD FILTERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE
58
67
May 20, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKINGS TO TCS/RTE FOODS, PREPARED ONSITE AND HELD IN COOLERS OVER 24 HRS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUME BY DATES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENUS REGARDING RAW EGGS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED. (REFER TO HANDOUT)
25
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 25 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT & UTENSILS IN THE DISH AND DRY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS, AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL PROVIDER FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS BETWEEN HAND SINK AND TABLE TOP GRILL IN PREP AREA, ALSO, BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND ICE BIN AT FRONT PREP COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN GREASE AND DUST ACCUMULATION FROM HOOD FILTERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE.
58
61
Jun 21, 2018
License
No violations found.
100
Jun 14, 2018
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FRONT FOOD PREP/BAR AREA OPEN AN ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A PROPER BARRIERS TO PROTECT THE FOOD PREP AREA ON BOTH SIDES FROM THE CUSTOMER.
16
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Stax Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Stax Cafe on file is from Jul 15, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Stax Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food properly labeled” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Stax Cafe.
Has Stax Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Stax Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Stax 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 Stax Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Stax Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants