Tu Cafe
555 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60661
Restaurant ZIP 60661 Risk 1 (High)
Passed · as of Jul 14, 2026
Tu Cafe was last inspected on July 14, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.
Latest inspection
July 14, 2026 · Canvass Re-Inspection
Result: Pass
1 critical1 paperwork-
CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed interior food- and nonfood-contact surfaces (bounce plate) at the front service area ice machine to be soiled build up of with dust debris. Instructed to clean food- and nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment at adequate frequency to prevent build up of dust debris and other soils and maintain.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed one person-in-charge with city of chicago certified food manager certificate missing allergen awareness training and certificate at time of inspection. Instructed to provide all city of chicago certified food managersw with additional allergen awareness training and maintain certificate(s) on-site for inspector review at all times.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
Inspection history
13 inspections on record
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
3 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalFood handling
Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.
Inspector’s note: Observed interior food- and nonfood-contact surfaces (bounce plate) at the front service area ice machine to be soiled build up of with dust debris. Instructed to clean food- and nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment at adequate frequency to prevent build up of dust debris and other soils and maintain.
Official wording (code 16)
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
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CriticalFood temperature
Cold food was held above a safe temperature.
Inspector’s note: Observed the following tcs food items at improper cold-holding temperatures: raw beef at 46.8f, tuna at 48.0f, turkey at 47.0f, ham at 50.0f at the front service line cooler; cheese at 49.0f, yogurt at 47.5f, chicken at 46.5f at the rear area 2-door upright cooler. Instructed to denature and discard all tcs food items at improper cold-holding temperatures and maintain all tcs food items at 41.0f or below for cold-holding. Approximately 70.0 lbs. Of food valued at approximately $800.00 discarded on-site. Person-in-charge denatured and discarded all listed tcs food items on-site at time of inspection. Priority foundation. 7-38-005 citation issued.
Official wording (code 22)
Proper cold holding temperatures
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CriticalFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2-door upright cooler in the rear kitchen area (adjacent to ovens) in poor repair, internal ambient air temperature of 49.0f at time of inspection. Instructed to cease use of cooler until repaired or replaced and maintain all cold-holding equipment sufficient at maintaining tcs food items at 41.0f or below. Tagged equipment with instructions to contact cdph once cooler is repaired or replaced and prior to use. Priority violation. 7-38-005 citation issued.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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GeneralFood temperature
Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.
Inspector’s note: Observed cooked chicken stored in the 2-door upright cooler covered with plastic wrap while cooling. Instructed to store tcs food items loosely-covered or uncovered (if protected from overhead contamination) while cooling to facilitate heat transfer and maintain.
Official wording (code 33)
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: Observed one person-in-charge with city of chicago certified food manager certificate missing allergen awareness training and certificate at time of inspection. Instructed to provide all city of chicago certified food managersw with additional allergen awareness training and maintain certificate(s) on-site for inspector review at all times.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Found no backflow prevention devices installed at drip coffee machine,ice machine,and bevi water dispenser.must provide where it can be serviced and located.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical2 general Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: No clean up kit or procedures onsite for vomiting or diarrhea events. Instructed to provide kit and post procedures for employees to follow. Priority foundation 7-38-005 no citation issued.
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Must repair leaky pipe under 3-comp sink, instructed to maintain.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors under heavy equipment throughout front and rear prep areas. Instructed to maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical3 general Show violations
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CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector’s note: Observed front hot line exposed hand sink basin, blocked at time of inspection. At time of inspection said exposed hand sink basin was in use as dump sink and filled with ice and debris. Instructed manager that exposed hand sink must be accessible and designated for proper hand washing, whenever foods are prepared and or served. Manager corrected violation during inspection. Critical violation #7-38-030
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Observed plastic film on exterior surface of Beverage Air two door refrigerator, in beverage dry storage area, located in dry storage closet # 2, adjacent to loading dock area. Informed manager that all surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed manager to remove and ensure surface is smooth and easily cleanable.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Observed slight scale deposits on exterior surface of front cook line ice machine white plastic shield/chute. Instructed manager to detail clean and maintain at all.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector’s note: Observed carpeting throughout floor in dry storage closet # 1, adjacent to loading dock area. Informed manager that all surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Instructed manager to resurface and ensure surface is smooth and easily cleanable.
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 general Show violations
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GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector’s note: Observed no city of Chicago certified food manager on site while potentially hazardous foods (chicken, wraps, etc.) are being prepped, cooked and/or served. Must have a city of Chicago certified food manager license posted in plain view. Must have a city of Chicago certified food manager on site at all times when potentially hazardous foods are being prepped, cooked and/or served. Serious violation 7-38-012.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector’s note: Observed small amount of pink, slimy, mold like substance on bottom of ice chute on customer self service beverage machine. Must remove, clean and sanitize. Must maintain same.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector’s note: The three compartment sink faucet is leaking. Repair the leak.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
3 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Eliminate peeling paint on walls in the front service area next to the ice machine and underneath the television monitor.
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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 along side coolers as needed.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Remove light dust build up on ceiling tile above the 3 compartment sink.
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector’s note: Must not store clean pots/pans on dirty pot holders. Management removed.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector’s note: Employees must not store personal belongings in the food preparation area. Management removed.
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Pass
License · Pass
No violations
More in ZIP 60661
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 4 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.