Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe

3932-3934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Apr 23, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Public records show three inspections at Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe stretching back to 2019. On Apr 23, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly six violations earlier on.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “all food employees have food handler training”, showing up two times.

The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe on the better side of that line. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 23, 2025

Complaint

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON INTERIOR OF 2 DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER IN REAR OF BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECCESSARY ITEMS AND MAINTAIN PREMISES IN GOOD CONDITION.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Oct 8, 2019

Reinspection

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: Observed no backflow prevention device on mop sink faucets. Instructed to install and maintain working backflow prevention device.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: Observed no food handler certificates on site. Instructed all employee must have food handler certificates and maintain on site.

Sep 3, 2019

License

6 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: Observed no hand wash sink in bar area. Instructed to install a hand wash sink properly supplied and able to deliver hot and cold running water under pressure. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c), no citation issued.

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: Observed no metal stem thermometer on site. Instructed to maintain working and accurate metal stem thermometer on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: Observed no employee with a valid City of Chicago Sanitation Certificate on site. Instructed to maintain a certified manager on premises at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012, no citation issued.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: Observed no chemical test strips on site. Instructed to maintain sanitizer test strips on premises at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

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

Inspector notes: Observed no employee health policy on site at this time. Instructed to maintain signed copies of the health policy for all employees. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010, no citation issued.

Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

Inspector notes: Observed no vomit and diarrhea kit on premises. Instructed to maintain a kit with all necessary supplies and a sanitizer rated as effective against norovirus on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: Observed no backflow prevention device on mop sink faucets. Instructed to install and maintain working backflow prevention device.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: Observed no food handler certificates on site. Instructed all employee must have food handler certificates and maintain on site.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed small gap under rear exit door to outside on West side of kitchen. Instructed to repair and maintain.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe on file is from Apr 23, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “all food employees have food handler training” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe.

Has Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game 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 Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe is inspected about once every two years on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Independence Tap — Stay & Play Game Cafe

3932-3934 W Irving Park Rd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Al Dente Restaurant

3939 W Irving Park Rd

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Fittingly Delicious

3939 W Irving Park Rd

Score: 78 — Low Risk

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