Health Inspection Report
CREPE HOUSE CAFE in CHICAGO, IL Failed Its Health Inspection on 04/10/23
CHICAGO, IL
Published: August 21, 2025
CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at CREPE HOUSE CAFE in an inspection dated 04/10/2023.
The facility operates from 5033 N ELSTON AVE in Dunning, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 6 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation involved sanitization. Inspectors documented: City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate - Comments: Observed No City of Chicago Certified Food Manager with Valid Original Certificate on Site During Time of Inspection While Tcs Foods Are Being Prepared and Served (sliced Tomaotes, Deli Meat, Cooked Chicken). Instructed to Provide and Maintain. Priority Foundation Violation. 7-38-012. Citation Issued.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The second violation concerned storage procedures. Inspectors documented: Food Properly Labeled. Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
The third violation involved storage procedures. Inspectors documented: Original Container - Comments: Observed Bulk Storage Containers in Prep Area Without Labels. Instructed to Provide and Maintain.. Storing food at incorrect temperatures accelerates spoilage and pathogen growth.
The fourth violation concerned hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Utensils, Equipment & Linens: Properly Stored, Dried, & Handled - Comments: Observed Soap Dispenser Located Directly Above Drain Board on 3 Compartment Sink Where Clean Utensils Are Stored. Instructed to Remove to Prevent Any Possible Sources of Contamination.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The fifth violation related to sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Food & Non-food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used - Comments: Observed Counter Tops Lines with Foil Near Crepe Equipment, Instructed to Remove and Provide Smooth and Easily Cleanable Surfaces.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The sixth violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Non-food/f. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/10/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was this inspection conducted?
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Who conducted this inspection?
Chicago Department of Public Health
What violations were found during this inspection?
The following violations were documented: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (SLICED TOMAOTES, DELI MEAT, COOKED CHICKEN). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.; SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNIT, SO THAT IT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 04/10/2023 INSPECTION, REPORT #2573917 NOT CORRECTED: #51-UNABLE TO LOCATE GREASE TRAP FOR FACILITY DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.; CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (SLICED TOMAOTES, DELI MEAT, COOKED CHICKEN). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS IN PREP AREA WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED SOAP DISPENSER LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE DRAIN BOARD ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WHERE CLEAN UTENSILS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED COUNTER TOPS LINES WITH FOIL NEAR CREPE EQUIPMENT, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED STORED SLICER WITH EXCESSIVE DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AS WELL AS AREAS OF BLACK MOLD LIKE DEPOSITS ON UPPER INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKY FAUCET NECK OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: UNABLE TO LOCATE GREASE TRAP FOR FACILITY DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED OPEN WALL NEAR PLUMBING IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE WALL AND ATTACH WALL BASE.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNNECCESARY ITEMS STORED INSIDE OF EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM MOP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN FREE OF CLUTTER.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 NOT CORRECTED ON INSPECTION REPORT #2553564 MARCH 25, 2022. VIOLATION IS AS FOLLOWS "FOUND SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED..
Why are these violations concerning?
Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods. Storing food at incorrect temperatures accelerates spoilage and pathogen growth. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.