CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at 540 CAFE in an inspection dated 04/18/2023.
Situated at 540 W MADISON ST, the establishment is part of West Loop's active food service sector. The West Loop area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 5 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 concerned storage procedures. Inspectors documented: Food Properly Labeled. Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
The second violation regarded food storage. Inspectors documented: Original Container - Comments: Observed No Labels for Bulk Storage Container (flour) Located Under Prep Table Near Dry Storage Area. Instructed Person in Charge of All Bulk and Working Food Ingredient Containers Must Be Labeled with the Contents Name.. Chemical contamination from improper storage can cause acute poisoning.
The third violation involved sanitization. Inspectors documented: Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: Observed Food Debris on the Floors in the Walk-in Cooler Near the Liquor Walk-in Cooler. Instructed to Clean and Maintain.. 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. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
The fourth violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Adequate Ventilation & Lighting. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
The fifth violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Designated Areas Used - Comments: Observed Two Burnt-out Light Bulbs in the Rear Food Prep Area. Instructed to Replace and Maintain.. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
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 04/18/2023 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.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINER (FLOUR) LOCATED UNDER PREP TABLE NEAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE CONTENTS NAME.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER NEAR THE LIQUOR WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED TWO BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN..
Improper storage can lead to cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods. Chemical contamination from improper storage can cause acute poisoning. Biofilms can form on inadequately cleaned surfaces, protecting bacteria from sanitizers.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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