University of Chicago — Harper Cafe
Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025
100
Score
Going back to 2012, University of Chicago — Harper Cafe has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Nov 21, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly five violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; University of Chicago — Harper Cafe is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 21, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 13, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 60 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON SHELVES AND FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN STORAGE ROOM 309. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
10
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN UNISEX WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN ALL WOMEN AND UNISEX WASHROOMS.
53
82
Oct 31, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 29, 2019
Complaint
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
3
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEANS FLOORS ALONG WALLBASE AT CORNERS AND AROUND HEAVY EQUIPMENT OF DEBRIS AND LITTER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND CLUTTER UNDER COUNTER AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND MOP CLOSET. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN /SANITIZE INTERIOR BOTTOM OF REFRIGERATION UNITS OF FOOD SPILLS AND FOOD DEBRIS. CLEAN COUNTER TOP AT 3-COMP SINK UTENSIL DRAINING AREA.
55
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES FOR TOILET ROOMS USED BY WOMEN.
53
67
Jun 5, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE, BEVERAGE MACHINES, COOLER AND SHELVES IN PREP AREA.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CLEAN ALL WALLS VENTS AND WINDOW FRAME IN PREP AREA(DUST BUILDUP).
35
86
Apr 27, 2017
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Wash and rinse water: clean and proper temperature
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER WASHING OF UTENSILS BY EMPLOYEE AT THE THREE COMP SINK. EMPLOYEE TOOK THE MILK CONTAINER USED TO STEAM MILK AT THE EXPRESSO MACHINE, RINSED IT WITH PLAIN WATER AND SUBMERGED IT IN SANITIZED WATER SET UP AT THE THREE COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL UTENSILS AND DISHWARE MUST BE WASHED, RINSED AND SANITIZED AND THAT ALL COMPARTMENTS MUST BE SET UP AT THE SINK PROPERLY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
7
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PERSON ON DUTY AS REQUIRED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN REAR INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. CLEAN COUNTER TOPS, INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND EXTERIOR SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOORS AROUND AND UNDER EQUIPMENT. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF OF FLOOR SIX INCHES WITH PROPER SHELVING (NOT MILK CRATES) TO CLEAN UNDERNEATH PROPERLY.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE THREE COMP SINK COMPARTMENTS AND SURFACE AREAS OF THE SINK AND MAINTAIN.
38
78
Oct 28, 2015
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE PROPER INFO ON CUT FRUIT SALAD.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR PROPERLY.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM FANGUARDS IN SANDWICH COOLER.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ON GLASS REACH IN COOLER.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT IN DINING AREA.
36
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
42
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET.MUST ENROLL AND MAINTAIN.
45
70
May 17, 2013
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NO SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030
12
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES AND REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN THE PREP AREA AND REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR/INSTALL VENTILATION IN MENS WASHROOM AND REMOVE FOUL ODORS.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE ALL ITEMS IN THE STORAGE AREA 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
41
78
Mar 16, 2012
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP & STORAGE AREAS & REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL OR PROVIDE ACCESS TO A MOP SINK.
38
90
Mar 13, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE & MAINTAIN A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020.
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP & STORAGE AREAS & REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL OR PROVIDE ACCESS TO A MOP SINK.
38
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was University of Chicago — Harper Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at University of Chicago — Harper Cafe on file is from Nov 21, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at University of Chicago — Harper Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, & animals not present” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at University of Chicago — Harper Cafe.
Has University of Chicago — Harper Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at University of Chicago — Harper Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at University of Chicago — Harper 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 University of Chicago — Harper Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, University of Chicago — Harper Cafe is inspected about once every two years on average.
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