The Understudy Coffee and Books

5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The Understudy Coffee and Books appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 19, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.

Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 19, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BROWN RESIDUE ON THE INSIDE PANEL OF ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SCHEDULE A CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.

Oct 24, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector notes: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (DAIRY, SANDWICHES ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES THAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOOD IS BEING HANDLED.

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL REACH-IN COOLERS.

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

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE CLEANING SUPPLIES 6" OFF THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

Mar 15, 2023

License

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ADDITIONAL PREP/DUMP SINK IN THE FRONT PREPARATION/BEVERAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PREP/DUMP SINK IN THE FRONT PREPARATION/BEVERAGE AREA.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Understudy Coffee and Books last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Understudy Coffee and Books on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

Has The Understudy Coffee and Books' inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Understudy Coffee and Books have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Understudy Coffee and Books 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 The Understudy Coffee and Books inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Understudy Coffee and Books is inspected roughly once per year on average.

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