Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe
Last inspected: Nov 5, 2025
67
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe, the earliest from 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 5, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly 10 violations before.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded 11 times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 5, 2025
Complaint
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food obtained from approved source
Inspector notes: 3-201.11 (A): OBSERVED FOOD OBTAINED FROM AN UNAPPROVED SOURCE. THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS ARE ON DISPLAY FOR SALE: BAKED COOKIES AND SLICES OF CAKE AND COOKIES IN SINGLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS/BAGS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER WITH NO LABELS OR ORIGINAL BOXES PRESENT. AN INADEQUATE INVOICE WAS PROVIDED THAT READ DIANA'S SWEET BOUTIQUE WITH NO ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS TO CONFIRM THIS IS AN APPROVED FOOD SOURCE. MUST ONLY PROVIDE FOOD ITEMS FROM APPROVED FOOD SOURCES AND MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROOF. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WERE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED DURING INSPECTION. APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS OF PRODUCT WERE DISCARDED AT $80 WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
11
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANLDERS NOT WASHING HANDS WHEN CHANGING TASK. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS TOUCHING GLASSES/FACE, ON THE PHONE, TOUCHING COMPUTER SCREEN TO TAKE ORDERS AND THEN WITHOUT WASHING HANDS STARTED TO PREPARE FOOD/BEVERAGE ITEMS FOR CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED MUST WASH HANDS AFTER CONTAMINATING HANDS BEFORE PREPARING FOOD ITEMS. FOOD HANDLER WASHED HANDS AFTER ASKED TO. PRIORITY 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED
8
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE WITH FOOD SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLE IN THE FRONT WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
May 29, 2025
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED A FORK AND COOKING UTENSIL IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT CRUMBS AND SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVES AND THE FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
57
82
May 27, 2025
Reinspection
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
Inspector notes: 8-404.13 (B:3 OBSERVED CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE NOT CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS: #38:6-501.111: SILL OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK MUST CONSIST OF THE MOST RECENT RECORD OF VISIT AND PEST CONTROL IDPH LICENSE NUMBER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED PEST CONTROL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED
59
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED A FORK AND COOKING UTENSIL IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(B): OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT CRUMBS AND SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.13: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVES AND THE FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
57
74
May 20, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food obtained from approved source
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD OBTAINED FROM AN UNAPPROVED SOURCE. THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS ARE ON DISPLAY FOR SALE: BAKED COOKIES, SLICES OF CAKE IN SINGLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND A WHOLE CAKE WITHOUT ANY LABELS OR ORIGINAL BOXES PRESENT. NO INVOICES, REVIEW OF SUPPLIER NAMES, AND UNABLE TO PRESENT DOCUMENTS OF THE FOOD SOURCE. A PERSON ON SITE PROVIDED A ZELLE TRANSACTION. MUST MEET REQUIREMENT AND MAINTAIN. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WERE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED DURING INSPECTION. APPROXIMATELY 15 LBS OF PRODUCT WERE DISCARDED AT $125 WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
11
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROBE STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES ON SITE AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
36
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. PEST CONTROL MUST CONSIST OF THE MOST RECENT RECORD OF VISIT AND PEST CONTROL IDPH LICENSE NUMBER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED PEST CONTROL RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020 (C), CITATION ISSUED
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
2
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE OUTER AND INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT CRUMBS AND SPLATTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS UNDER THE SHELVES AND THE FREEZER UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE.
57
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FORK AND COOKING UTENSIL IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.
44
52
Dec 11, 2024
Reinspection
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE STORED/PREPARED/SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN THE FOOD PREP TABLE COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (SALT AND SAUCES/CONDIMENTS) NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE COMMON FOOD NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN THE FREEZER AND PREP TABLE COOLER BEING STORED IMPRPERLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC BAGS AND STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/FREEZER BAGS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP DRYING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO DRY PROPERLY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINOR DEBRIS/DIRT AT VENT IN THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO/MISSING LIGHT BULB COVERS/SHIELDS THORUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
61
Dec 4, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Food obtained from approved source
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOME PREPARED FOOD ITEMS (TURKEY CHILI AND CHICKEN SOUP) BEING STORED/SOLD IN THE FOOD PREP COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED THAT HOME PREPARED FOOD MUST NOT BE STORED/SOLD IN THE FACILITY. PERSON IN CHARGE DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS IN A GARBAGE BAG AND DENATURED WITH BLEACH AND TAKEN TO THE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
11
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY AT THE START TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE STORED/PREPARED/SERVED. CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER, HARRY GILMORE ARRIVED ON SITE AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15AM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIPS ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN THE FOOD PREP TABLE COOLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS (SALT AND SAUCES/CONDIMENTS) NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE COMMON FOOD NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS IN THE FREEZER AND PREP TABLE COOLER BEING STORED IMPRPERLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC BAGS AND STORE FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS/FREEZER BAGS.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINOR LEAK/DRIP AT HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP DRYING IMPROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO DRY PROPERLY.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINOR DEBRIS/DIRT AT VENT IN THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO/MISSING LIGHT BULB COVERS/SHIELDS THORUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
58
43
Sep 28, 2023
License
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SPRAY EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS IN VOMIT AND DIARRHEA SPILL KIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPRAY EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
5
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP ON SIDE OF REAR EXIT DOOR NEXT TO WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNSEAL WOOD IN BLOCK ON FLOOR BEHIND PREP TABLES AND INTERIOR OF COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL ALL WOOD FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED SODA CANS STORED ON SODA CRATES, CHEMICALS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AND BOXES UNDERNEATH COUNTER STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO STORE FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DOOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SPILLAGE ON EXTERIOR OF ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPILLAGE ON PREP TABLE BASE HOLDING ONE DOOR COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SMALL TOASTER OVEN WITH BUILDUP ON INTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBERVED SMALL PANINI GRILL WITH BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE WHERE IT CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED. OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK WHERE IT CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED.
51
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO GREASE TRAP CONNECTED TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
52
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CEILING IN REAR SEATING AREA NEAR MURAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED HOLES IN WALL NEXT TO DOOR AND BEHIND MOP SINK IN UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MISSING BASE BOARDS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED SPILLAGE ON WALL AND ALONG BASE OF WALL IN PREP AREA, IN HALLWAY AND IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS IN WINDOWSILLS IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR, ALONG BASE BOARDS, IN CORNERS, IN HALLWAY AND UTILITY CLOSET.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP STORED IN BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL MOP DRYING RACK FOR PROPER DRAINAGE AND DRYING OF MOPS TO PREVENT PEST BREEDING.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVER IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe on file is from Nov 5, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 11 times, more than any other issue at Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe.
Has Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Urban Essentials — Spill the Beans Coffee Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants