Ten Cafe
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
90
Score
Across the available record, Ten Cafe has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2020. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 19, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to two violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Ten Cafe is comfortably above that bar. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS STORED DIRECTLY ABOVE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE EMPLOYEE PERSONAL CARE ITEMS AND STORE SUCH THAT THEY DO NOT POSE RISK OF CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT, OR UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN.
28
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING AND COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF GREASE, DRIED FOOD DEBRIS, AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.
49
90
Jan 6, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOXED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE STROAGE SHELVES IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS AND MAINTAIN.
39
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND GREASE ON FLOOR BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD EMPLOYEES PERSONAL ITEMS BEING STORED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE ORDERLY STORAGE AREA FOR EMPLOYEES CLOTHING AND OTHER POSSESSIONS AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.
58
82
Mar 11, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT NEED TO BE DEEP CLEANED UNDER AND BEHIND ALL COOKING AND COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
55
95
Apr 21, 2023
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP ON BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR AND THRESHOLD IN REAR COMMON AREA HALLYWAY OF ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT ENTRANCE OF PESTS.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN THE REAR HALLWAY LEADING TO OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 FOUND CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
86
Apr 19, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASTE WATER BACKING UP FROM FLOOR DRAIN WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM ONE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED
52
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE PREP COOLER IN FRONT PREP/SERVICE LINE.
36
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF OVEN TOASTER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP SEAMS AND STAIN ON TOP OF (2) PREP COOLERS IN PREP AREA.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, HANDSINK AND PREP SINK IN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN THE REAR HALLWAY LEADING TO OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENT COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION ABOVE MOPSINK AND INSIDE (2) WASHROOMS.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: FOUND CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
61
Feb 17, 2022
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (SUGAR, FLOUR ETC)
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS IN REAR PREP AREA.
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE MUST BE COVERED INSIDE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER/LID.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REORGANIZE REAR STORAGE AREA. FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
55
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: FOUND NO WRITTEN PROTOCOL AVAILABLE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A WRITTEN RECORD DESCRIBING PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING PROOF OF VACCINATION IN PUBLIC PLACES. VIOLATION 2-112-340
64
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO RECORDS OF EMPLOYEE VACCINATION STATUS OR WEEKLY TESTING PER PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER EXHIBIT A. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION 2-112-340
64
74
Apr 29, 2021
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE ICE SCOOPER HANDLE IN CONTACT WITH THE ICE. INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOP BETWEEN USES.
16
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA HANDLING FOOD WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTH LAYING ON THE PREP TABLES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
41
86
Mar 3, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 27, 2020
License
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE CHLORINE SANITIZER ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE THE PROPER CHLORINE TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AND DISH AREAS.
56
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ten Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ten Cafe on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ten Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Ten Cafe.
Has Ten Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Ten Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ten 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 Ten Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ten Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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