Waffle Lounge

7433 S State St, Chicago, IL 60619

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Mar 23, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2025, Waffle Lounge has three inspections in the public record. Waffle Lounge was last inspected on Mar 23, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.

The pattern that stands out is “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, which has been cited three times.

Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Waffle Lounge is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 23, 2026

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER AT COOKSLINE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS TO COVER SCALP AND BEARDS WHERE APPLICABLE.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOPS AND BROOMS STORED IN THE CORNER OF UTILITY CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL RACK FOR HOLDING BROOMS AND MOPS, INVERTING MOP FOR DRYING/STORAGE.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CLUTTERED OFFICE LOCATED BETWEEN KITCHEN AND DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO BUSINESS. ALL KEPT ITEMS ARE TO BE STORED ON PROPER SHELVING THAT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN AND A MINIMUM OF 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR TO ALLOW PROPER CLEANING OF FLOORS.

Sep 24, 2025

Reinspection

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUST DEPOSITS ON SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER, AND RAW WOOD SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL RUSTY SURFACES AND SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES ON SHELVING UNITS

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND/OR EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Sep 16, 2025

License

3 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR AND INSIDE CABINETS IN CONTROL PANEL ROOM, ON FLOOR AND DUCT EQUIPMENT IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)

Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSURE ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND/OR EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WASTE RECEPTACLES AT HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL AREAS WASTE IS COMMONLY DISCARDED.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING BASEBOARDS ALONG WALLS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE BASEBOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN WOMEN AND MEN CUSTOMER WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Waffle Lounge last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Waffle Lounge on file is from Mar 23, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Waffle Lounge?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Waffle Lounge.

Has Waffle Lounge's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Waffle Lounge have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Waffle Lounge means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago