The Waterfront Cafe

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Aug 28, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dead flying insects in prep area on windowsill and on floor under and next to three-compartment sink. Instructed to remove, detail clean, sanitize and maintain.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

2. May 6, 2025 No Entry

   Canvass · No Entry

   No violations

3. Jul 12, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Staff touched ready-to-eat food with bare hands.

     Inspector’s note: Observed poor hygienic practices of bare hand contact with ready to eat foods. Cook observed with bar hands handling foods such as ready to eat tomatoes, breads, vegetables. Instructed to wash hands and wear gloves for all ready to eat food items. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 9)

     No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Noted the cook not wearing a beard restraint while preparing foods. Must provide.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Prep area wiping cloths must be held in a container with a sanitizing solution between use.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: All stored items in the outdoor storage shed must be elevated from the floors.

     Official wording (code 45)

     Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Floor under the ice machine with dirt and food debris. Must clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide valid allergen certificates or proof of training for all the city of chicago certified food managers.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

4. Oct 28, 2022 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

5. Jul 13, 2020 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   No violations

6. Aug 23, 2019 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

7. Aug 15, 2019 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed that establishment did not have sanitizing solution effective for norovirus. Must provide. Priority foundation.7-38-005. No citation issued today.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violation was not corrected from report on 7/31/2018. Inspection number 2200341. Violation 51. No visible back flow prevention device located at water line of ice machine. Install or know the location. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

8. Jul 31, 2018 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical11 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: No written policy available for employees to respond to a vomiting or diarrheal event. Must provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: No label provided at refilled food bottles,instructed to provide labels with common name of the food

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Rear exit site screen door to the park with an unsealed mesh to door frame must repair to protect against the entry of insects.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Need to install a splash guard between three compartment sink and one compartment were produce/fruits area washed(right site of the unit)surface must be smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent surface

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Water bottles used for customers,mouth are too small to be able to clean ,provide bottles with a large mouth

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Torn rubber gasket inside the door of salad reach-in cooler. Repair/replace

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Grease at interior of cooking equipment,clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Portable fans in prep area must be kept cleaned(dust build-up)

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: No visible back flow prevention device located at water line of ice machine.install or know the location

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: OBSERVED EXCESS WATER LEAKING FROM WINDOW AIR CONDITION ON GROUND(DIRT AND WOOD CHIPS) OF OUTDOOR REFUSE AREA, FORMING STAGNATE WATER(FLYING INSECTS ACTIVITY),An outdoor storage surface for REFUSE, recyclables, and returnables shall be constructed of nonabsorbent material such as concrete or asphalt and shall be SMOOTH, durable, and sloped to drain.

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Debris on floor throughout especially under the three compartment sink,along base board walls and corners.excess stagnate/dirty water under the three compartment sink ,remove keep floor dry

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Broken wall under three compartment sink and both one compartment sinks repair with a smooth cleanable surface. Broken caulking around three compartment sink and between wall and mentioned unit,remove ,clean and re-apply with a smooth cleanable surface

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

9. Jun 9, 2017 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Exterior north side of cabinet under the three compartment sink surface is porous not cleanable. Need to repair.surface must be smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent surface.rusty shelves inside the two door reach-in cooler by the exposed hand sink need to be repaired/replace. Water bottles used for costumers with small mouth,instructed to provide large mouth water bottles or bottle brush to be able to wash rinse and sanitize.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Holes on walls under three compartment sink,and north wall by the white chest freezer.need to seal and maintain.surface must be smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent surface

10. May 31, 2017 Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical5 general Show violations

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

      Inspector’s note: Poor hygienic practices. Observed waiter stroking/playing with his front hair, and touching his lips at prep/serving area, awaiting for cook to finish his order to be served to customers. Without hand washing grabbed clean utensils, food and delivered to customers seating outside. No hand washing. Information on hand washing procedure given to manager. Critical violation:7-38-010(a)

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: Outer openings not rodent/insect proof. Found rear screen door with 2" or better gap at bottom,1/2" to 1" at side and top of the mentioned door.window by the heater door at second floor storage area not protected .window poorly repaired with a piece of wood,gaps of 1/2" on each side of the wood,need to seal. Mentioned door and window must be completely tight fitted to frame.instructed to repair cause. Serious violation:7-38-020

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Exterior north side of cabinet under the three compartment sink surface is porous not cleanable. Need to repair.surface must be smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent surface.rusty shelves inside the two door reach-in cooler by the exposed hand sink need to be repaired/replace. Water bottles used for costumers with small mouth,instructed to provide large mouth water bottles or bottle brush to be able to wash rinse and sanitize.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Grease at interior of deep fryer, pipes(throughout),metal shelves and bottom of prp tables.instructed to clean and maintain

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Grease,dust and grimes on floor throughout the premises,specially along baseboard walls,under pipes,corners and under shelves.instructed to clean and maintain.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Holes on walls under three compartment sink,and north wall by the white chest freezer.need to seal and maintain.surface must be smooth,cleanable and non-absorbent surface.

11. Jul 25, 2016 Pass

    Short Form Complaint · Pass

    2 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

      Inspector’s note: Found food containers not stored properly. Must store inverted.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Found floors not clean at storeage areas. Must sweep behind reach in coollers.

12. Jun 13, 2016 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

      Inspector’s note: Found food containers not stored properly. Must store inverted.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Found floors not clean at storeage areas. Must sweep behind reach in coollers.

13. Apr 19, 2016 No Entry

    Canvass · No Entry

    No violations

14. Aug 21, 2015 Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

15. Aug 11, 2015 Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical1 general Show violations

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Facilities to maintain proper temperature

      Inspector’s note: 3-door prep cooler not maintained, ambient air temperature at 59.2 f, found tofu, lobster rolls, etc. Held inside said cooler. Instructed manager to repair and maintain cooler, ambient air temperature must be 40 f or below. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service

      Inspector’s note: Found the following potentailly hazardous foods held at improper temperature- hummus between 52.7 f and 64.8 f, tofu at 52.7 f, lobster rolls at 54.0 f, coleslaw at 51.4 f, cheese 52.8 f. Instructed manager potentially hazardous foods must be held at 40 f or below if held cold. All out of temperature potentially hazardous foods voluntarilly discarded at this time. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

      Inspector’s note: No thermometer inside reach in cooler #2. Instructed manager to provide working thermometer for cooler.

16. Jul 25, 2014 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must detail clean and sanitize the interior light shields in the kitchen prep area to remove dead insects.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Must defrost the interior of all ice box freezers to remove excessive frost and ice build-up.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors at all corners in the second floor dry storage area to remove debri.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Observed cold water faucet handle at the 3-comp sink is diffucult to close. Must repair.

17. Sep 24, 2013 Pass

    Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

18. Sep 13, 2013 Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    7 general Show violations

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

      Inspector’s note: Noted a slimy yellowish substance on the inner lining of ice machine dripping onto the ice. Manager immediately had employees discard ice, clean and sanitize ice machine including the upper compartment. Instructed to clean and monitor at all times. Citation issued for serious violation #7-38-005(a).

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: Noted over 15 large flying insects on food contact surfaces, wall and ceiling at the kitchen food prep and front customer service area. Instructed to clean and sanitize affected areas. Recommended to contact pest control. Citation issued for serious violation #7-38-020

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: Noted premises using milk crates for elevation especially on second floor. Instructed to provide proper shelving for elevation 6" off the floor and 6" away from wall for better pest monitoring.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Noted broken lid on inner lining of gasket at lid on chest freezer on second floor (tapped). Instructed to repair. Must also defrost freezers with heavy ice built up on same.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean floors along wall base and underneath heavy equipment especially by the 3 compartment sink and on second floor dry storage area. Also repair unfinished corner wall underneath 3 compartment sink.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: Noted hole at corner wall base underneath 3 compartment sink. Instructed to seal and maintain. Must also repair and clean stained ceiling at the food prep area.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Noted unused dirty wash cloths stacked on window ledging by the 3 compartment sink.instructed to properly store all wash cloths in a sanitizing solution especially when not in use.

19. Aug 1, 2012 Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    2 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: Observed slight calcium build up inside ice machine. Instructed manager to clean and maintain interior of ice machine.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

      Inspector’s note: Ice scoop improperly stored on shelf (by ice machine). Instructed manager to provide clean container for ice scoop.

20. Aug 23, 2010 Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Use dustless cleaning methods. above violation still remaining.

21. Aug 10, 2010 Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    6 general Show violations

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

      Inspector’s note: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. above had no current pest control invoice, also found doors not rodent prrofed(screens)had 1/4,to1/2 inch gaps on bottom sides of doors, shall be repair(outer openings not protected).citation issued#H000062810 with a court date of 9/16/2010, at 400 w superior in room #112 at 9:00am.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

      Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. non food contact surfaces of prep table shelving, cooler shelving not clean need cleaning.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

      Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment need cleaning(corners).

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

      Inspector’s note: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Use dustless cleaning methods.walls the had exposed raw wood in 2nd floor shall be repair, damaged ceiling tiles in prep area shall be replaced.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

      Inspector’s note: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. light shields in prep area need detailed cleaning.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

      Inspector’s note: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. exhaust canopy not clean needs cleaning.