The Good Life Soul Food Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026
64
Score
The Good Life Soul Food Cafe has been inspected six times since 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 3, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around seven violations, down from roughly 11 violations earlier in the record.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded nine times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting The Good Life Soul Food Cafe on the weaker side. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2026
Reinspection
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
57
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
55
64
Jan 27, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: RODENT DROPPINGS ON THE PREMISES. 60 BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT/FRYERS; 40 IN THE FRYERS; 60 IN THE CORNERS OF THE MOP SINK AREA AND 40 ALONG THE WALL BASE BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE BAKERY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICES. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS TO WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MAINTAIN SAME.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (SANITIZER MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE. MAINTAIN SAME.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BOTH CAN OPENERS WITH FOOD AND DIRT BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CAN OPENERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE FRYERS HAS RODENT DROPPINGS, GREASE BUILD UP, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FRYERS.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS. ALSO, THE COOLERS BEING USED AS STORAGE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED. MAINTAIN SAME.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, WALK IN COOLER, UNDER/AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND COOLERS WITH FOOD, DIRT, DEBRIS AND RODENT DROPPINGS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND FLOORS THROUGHOUT.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: WALK IN FREEZER IN THE BAKERY AREA NEEDS LIGHTING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO WALK IN FREEZER.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER ON SITE WITH NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE.
57
58
Apr 2, 2025
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
95
Mar 26, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON COMPRESSOR UNIT NEAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAKERY, INSIDE COMPRESSOR UNIT OF PREP COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA, ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS NEAR UTILITY SINK AND WATER HEATER IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2605791 ON 11-1-24:39-OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. 58- OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED
60
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN BAKERY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
37
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL PACKAGED DESSERTS WITH INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND ALLERGENS.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF SOUTHEAST DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED AS SHELVING UNITS IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AND ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS AND CEILINGS IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
56
55
Nov 1, 2024
Reinspection
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
39
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
39
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
70
Oct 23, 2024
License
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 17 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 47.2F AND SEVERAL COOLERS NOT OPERABLE. ALL COOLERS MUST MAINTAIN 41 FOR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005
33
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT MULTIPLE SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT LEAST 100F AT HAND WASHING SINKS AND 110F AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)
50
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SHELVING UNITS INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SHELVING IN ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS.
39
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND WASHING SINK AND PREP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER FRONT COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STOPPERS NOT OPERABLE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
47
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PEELING SURFACES IN CEILING OF PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ONFLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED AND PEELING SURFACES ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGERS. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
32
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Good Life Soul Food Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Good Life Soul Food Cafe on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Good Life Soul Food Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at The Good Life Soul Food Cafe.
Has The Good Life Soul Food Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Good Life Soul Food Cafe have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Good Life Soul Food Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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