Hero Coffee

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Jul 14, 2025 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

2. May 21, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   5 general Show violations

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed a food handling employee not wearing a hair restraint while preparing food. Instructed management that all food handling employees must wear a hair restraint while preparing food.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed debris around dumpster. Instructed to clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled mop heads not properly stored. Instructed manager to hang mop heads to prevent insect breeding.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from inspection report#2608072 issued on 11/26/2024 priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued #51:found no food prep sink at front prep coffee bar. Instructed to install to prevent food handlers from using handwashing sink as a food prep sink

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

3. Nov 26, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food handler rinse coffee canister at hand washing sink at coffee bar. A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than hand washing. Instructed food handler to only use hand washing sink for handwashing purposes. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Found sugar in bulk container located at coffee bar. Instructed to label any food items taken out of its original container with a common name.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Found no food prep sink at front prep coffee bar. Instructed to install to prevent food handlers from using handwashing sink as a food prep sink.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Found inadequate lighting over 3 comp sink. Instructed to provide adequate lighting.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

4. Jun 28, 2022 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no manager on site at the time of arrival. Manager must be on site at all times. Priority foundation violation.

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed unsealed wooden shelving in front service line area. Instructed manager to paint or seal all wood.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed holes in ceiling in back prep area near rear door. Instructed manager to replace missing tiles.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager on site at time of arrival while tcs foods such as milk and eggs were being served. A certified food manager must be on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

5. Oct 2, 2020 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   No violations

6. Jun 19, 2017 Pass

   License · Pass

   5 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: The cutting board in the rear food preparation area has deep, dark grooves and stains. Instructed to sand or replace it. Must maintain a smooth and easily cleanable surface. -the front hand sink needs to be recaulked. Instructed to recaulk and maintain. -the top door on the rear reach in cooler is in poor condition (taped up). Instructed to replace.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: The floors in the corners and under/around the sinks and coolers have dirt and food on them. Instructed to clean and maintain floors.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Found the walls around the sinks, coolers and storage racks in the rear food preparation area with food, dust and dirt. Also, the vents in both toilet rooms have thick dirt/dust. Instructed to detail clean and maintain all.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

     Inspector’s note: The toilet room in the rear is being used for storage is cluttered. Instructed to organize and maintain the area.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn

     Inspector’s note: The food handlers in the front food preparation area are not wearing hair restraints. Instructed to have them wear them while in the food preparation areas. Maintain same.