CHICAGO, IL - Multiple violations were discovered at Le Cafe Grill during a health inspection on 08/14/2025.
Situated at 1889-1891 N Winnebago Avenue Chicago Illinois in West Town, the restaurant serves a diverse clientele in one of Chicago's bustling districts.
Inspectors documented: "Observed facility without a verifiable city of chicago food service sanitation certificate posted onsite for food employees. 012." This finding indicates a need for compliance with established food safety protocols.
The examination revealed violations related to pest control, which need to be addressed for proper compliance.
Restaurant industry studies show that pest-related violations often correlate with other sanitation deficiencies Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that The FDA Food Code mandates that food storage areas remain free from pest contamination at all times. The HACCP Prevention Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Inspectors documented deficiencies involving temperature control, an essential component of restaurant operations.
Professional food safety experts consider temperature monitoring essential for preventing foodborne illness Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that The FDA requires continuous temperature monitoring for all potentially hazardous foods in commercial kitchens. The FDA Temperature Safety Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Among the findings were infractions involving sanitation, a key component of food safety protocols.
Food safety experts emphasize that consistent sanitation practices prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria Data compiled by food safety institutions reveals that The FDA Food Code establishes comprehensive sanitation requirements that form the foundation of safe food service operations. Per FDA Sanitation Standards, such standards maintain that dining facilities comply with comprehensive protection measures.
These types of violations require attention to maintain compliance standards for the establishment and its customers. Health officials note that addressing such conditions helps maintain public confidence in food service establishments.
Local regulatory authorities have ordered that Le Cafe Grill swiftly remediate the documented deficiencies before reopening to customers. Additional review is planned to confirm remediation.
Food service professionals should take note of important insights from these findings, highlighting the importance of ongoing compliance to health code requirements. Public education continues to be an essential element in ensuring public health protection.
| Inspection ID | 2622238 |
| DBA Name | LE CAFE GRILL |
| AKA Name | LE CAFE GRILL |
| License # | 2791755 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 1889-1891 N WINNEBAGO AVE |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60647 |
| Inspection Date | 08/14/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Canvass |
| Results | Fail |
| Violations | 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A VERIFIABLE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ONSITE FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED ALONG WITH THE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS ARE STORED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. | 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH A BUILD-UP OF BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE |
| AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.CITATION ISSUED | 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments | OBSERVED MENU PAPER AND ONLINE WITH A FOOTNOTE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU AND MISSING DISCLOSURE BY ASTERICKS FOR RELATED MENU ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS OFFERED (e.g. |
| ETC.). (REFER TO ONLINE CDPH CONSUMER ADVISORY GUIDE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments | OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. | 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION |
| STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments | OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS. | 44. UTENSILS |
| EQUIPMENT & LINENS | PROPERLY STORED |
| & HANDLED - Comments | OBSERVED PLATES NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT PLATES AFTER SANITIZING AND AIR DRYING. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK STOPPERS MISSING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED IN REAR PREP WATER IN HANDSINKS SLOWLY DRAINING. PERSON IN CHARGE WAS ADVISED TO UNCLOG SINK AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ISSUE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS ON MOUNTED POTATO CUTTER LOCATED IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS AND CLEAN UNIT AFTER EACH USE. | 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED |
| & CLEANED - Comments | OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN STAFF TOILET ROOM IN REAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE. | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CLUTTER |
| Latitude | 41.915727954576056 |
| Longitude | -87.6870786651309 |
| Location | (41.915727954576056 |
This inspection was conducted on August 14, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: pest-control, temperature-control, sanitation.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
