Little Branch Cafe

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Sep 17, 2025 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed items out of the original containers without labels containing the product name. Instructed to label all foods and spices with common name that are out of the original containers.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food service sanitation manager without food allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

2. Jun 28, 2024 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical5 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

     Inspector’s note: Owner/manager not properly washing her hands in the required designated hand washing sink. Instructed not to wash hands in the 3-compartment sink. Properly wash hands with soap in the hand washing sink only. Maintain same. Priority foundation 7-38-010 violation citation issued

     Official wording (code 8)

     Hands clean & properly washed

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: REAR HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE. DISH WASHING LIQUID AND UTENSILS STORED INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE ALL HAND WASHING SINKS ACCESSIBLE AND PROPERLY STOCKED. MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(c) VIOLATION CITATION ISSUED

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: No handwashing sign posted at the designated handwashing sink in the rear prep/dish washing area. Instructed to provide a handwashing signage and maintain.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Female food handlers/employees in front food prep area not wearing hair restraints. Instructed to have all food handlers/employees handling food and in the food prep areas to wear a hair restraint. Maintain same.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFood handling

     In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Multi use knives not properly stored when not in use. Instructed to store knives in a knife rack when not in use. Maintain same.

     Official wording (code 43)

     In-use utensils: properly stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Interior lower surfaces of all coolers/freezers and storage racks in rear prep area with food, dirt and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain all.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Walls behind the coolers/cooking equipment with food/grease and dirt. Floors in the corners and under/around all heavy equipment with food, dirt and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain walls and floors throughout.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Ventilation panels in rear prep with grease and dirt build up. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Food handlers on site with no food handler training certificates. Instructed to obtain and maintain current certificates.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: CFM WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CFMs OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN A VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

3. Jun 13, 2023 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   2 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-301.14 observed a hand washing sign is needed at the rear food prep area hand washing sink. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: 4-602.11(b-e) observed a minor slight brownish substance in the interior of the ice machine located by the ice maker where the water flows. Instructed to clean and sanitize.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

     Inspector’s note: 3-501.13 observed raw beef thawing at room temperature in the rear food prep area, at the time of the inspection said product was at 34f. Instructed to properly thaw all tcs foods under cold running water (not exceeding 70f) or in a refrigeration unit at all times. Manager placed said product in the refrigerator during the inspection.

     Official wording (code 35)

     Approved thawing methods used

   • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

     Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed the female food handlers at the front food prep area prepping coffee and serving ice cream without proper hair restraints such as hair nets or baseball caps. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 40)

     Personal cleanliness

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: 4-502.13 observed cardboard being used as a shelf liner in the rear dry storage area and on the unused flat top grill. Instructed to remove cardboard and ensure all surfaces are smooth and easily cleanable.

     Official wording (code 45)

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

4. Jul 15, 2022 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical1 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

     Inspector’s note: Observed manager wash hands with gloves on. Instructed manager to remove gloves in order to properly wash hands. Priority violation 7-38-010 citation issued.

     Official wording (code 8)

     Hands clean & properly washed

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Observed dish machine not dispensing sanitizer.chlorine sanitizer concentration measured at 0ppm at dish machine. Instructed manager to repair dish machine. Priority violation 7-38-025. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated debris on the floors behind the cooking equipment and refrigeration units. Instructed manager to clean.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

5. Oct 18, 2021 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

6. Oct 13, 2021 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   4 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) observed manager unable to locate the employee health policy. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: 2-501.11 observed manager unable to locate the vomit and diarrhea clean up procedure and supplies. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-301.14 observed hand washing signs are needed at the food prep area hand washing sinks. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalRepeat violation

     A previously cited serious violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: 8-404.13(b:3) observed previous priority foundation violation not corrected from inspection report #2534401 dated 10/06/21; 25-3-603.11 observed no consumer advisory posted nor a disclosure (with footnote) on the menu for all items that can be ordered undercooked or raw (eggs, beef). Instructed to post a consumer advisory and add a disclosure (with footnote) for all items that can be ordered undercooked or raw. Instructed to correct previous priority foundation violations. Priority violation 7-42-090.

     Official wording (code 59)

     Previous priority foundation violation corrected

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: 4-502.13 observed single service containers (butter containers) being used as food storage containers. Instructed to not re-use single service containers as food storage containers. Observed cardboard being reused as a shelf liner for a prep table. Instructed to not reuse cardboard.

     Official wording (code 45)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to locate.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed accumulated debris on the floors behind the cooking equipment and refrigeration units. Instructed to clean.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

7. Oct 6, 2021 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   4 critical3 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) observed manager unable to locate the employee health policy. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: 2-501.11 observed manager unable to locate the vomit and diarrhea clean up procedure and supplies. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-301.14 observed handwashing signs are needed at the food prep area handwashing sinks. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: 3-603.11 observed no consumer advisory posted nor a disclosure (with footnote) on the menu for all items that can be ordered undercooked or raw (eggs, beef). Instructed to post a consumer advisory and add a disclosure (with footnote) for all items that can be ordered undercooked or raw. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralFood handling

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

     Inspector’s note: 4-502.13 observed single-service containers (butter containers) being used as food storage containers. Instructed not to reuse single service containers as food storage containers. Observed cardboard being reused as a shelf liner for a prep table. Instructed not to reuse cardboard.

     Official wording (code 45)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 5-204.12 unable to locate the back flow prevention device on the ice machine. Instructed to locate.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.12 observed accumulated debris on the floors behind the cooking equipment and refrigeration units. Instructed to clean.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

8. Sep 12, 2019 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   3 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Found low temperature dish machine in use sanitizing solution at 0 ppm. Must repair and maintain a chlorine based sanitizing solution between 25 ppm - 100 ppm. Low temperature dish machine tagged at time of inspection. Instructed not to use dish machine until it is inspected by the chicago department of public health. Priority violation. 7-38-025. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (beef, chicken, cheese, tomatoes, eggs, variety of cooked vegetables) at improper cold holding temperatures (temperatures ranging from 60f - 58f)located in reach in cooler across from griddle at time of inspection. Instructed to discard and denature all said time/temperature control for safety foods and always maintain all cold holding tcs foods at 41f or below at all times. Manager discarded all said tcs foods, cost of all foods $250 at 20 lbs. Priority violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed burgers on menu. Said item can be ordered under cooked. Instructed facility to provide disclosure and reminder for menu items that can be ordered under cooked. Priority foundation. No citation issued.7-38-005

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow prevention device for cappuccino and coffee brewer. A back flow prevention device must be located, so that it may be serviced and maintained. -

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Found no proof of allergen training on site. Must provide proof of allergen training for all city of chicago food service managers.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

9. Aug 21, 2018 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   5 critical3 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site. Instructed to provide an employee health policy and maintain. Priority foundation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no written procedure for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that can potentially occur inside the food establishment. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signs at the exposed hand sinks located in both food prep areas. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (cheese) out of the original packaging and held for over 24 hours without proper labels containing product name and date. Instructed to provide labels for all time/temperature control for safety foods that are out of the original packaging and held for over 24 hours and maintain. Priority foundation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • CriticalFood handling

     No warning to customers about raw or undercooked food.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no consumer advisory posted nor a reminder and a disclosure on the menu. Instructed to post a consumer advisory and add a reminder and a disclosure to the menu and maintain. Priority foundation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 25)

     Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no thermometers inside of the reach in coolers, 2 door prep cooler and refrigerator. Instructed to provide thermometers and maintain. Priority foundation. No citation issued.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the vents with accumulated grease debris located above the cooking equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed back flow prevention device not visible on the espresso machine. Instructed to provide specifications for espresso machine or make back flow prevention device visible and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates for one male and one female employee. Instructed to meet requirement and maintain.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed city of chicago food service sanitation manager without the required allergen training. Instructed to meet requirement and maintain.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

10. Sep 21, 2017 Pass

    License · Pass

    4 general Show violations

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: The storage rack above the hand sink and cooking equipment use to store disposable cups has a greasy like substance on it. 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: The interior/exterior of the floor drains and the floors in the corners has food and debis on them. Instructed to clean and maintain the floor drains and floors. Maintain the same.

    • 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, ceiling and vents in the front food preparation area and dining area has dirt/dust build up on them. Also, the filters on the ventilation and the walls behind the sink and cooking equipment in the rear prep area has dirt/food stains. Instructed to clean all.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: There is a leak at the hot water knob on the hand washing sink in the rear food preparation area. Instructed to fix. Maintain same.