Conditional

First Sip Cafe

1057 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640

Restaurant ZIP 60640 Risk 2 (Medium)

Pass with Conditions · as of Jun 11, 2026

First Sip Cafe was last inspected on June 11, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

June 11, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

1 critical1 paperwork
  • CriticalManagement & training

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

    Inspector’s note: No person in charge present at the time of inspection. Priority foundation violation. No citation issued.

    Official wording (code 1)

    Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

  • PaperworkManagement & training

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

    Inspector’s note: Noted no certified food manager on duty while tcs foods are prepared and served (coffee, pastries(chicken sandwiches etc)or city of chicago sanitation certificate. Certificates on site are expired). Instructed to have the original city of chicago on site at all times. Priority foundation #7-38-012.citation issued.

    Official wording (code 2)

    City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspection history

9 inspections on record

  1. Closed

    Canvass · Out of Business

    The inspector found this business closed.

    No violations

  2. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Must provide a visible ambient air thermometer on the inside of cafe cooler in the front prep area and in the refrigerator in the rear kitchen area.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No city of chicago certified food manager on the premises while tcs foods (coffee drinks that contain milks, heavy creams, etc. And empanadas.) are being prepared and served. Instructed management that a city of chicago certified food manager must be present at all times while tcs foods are being prepared or served. Priority foundation violation, 7-38-012. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: No food handler certificates for food employees on site during inspection. Must provide proof of basic food handler training for employees and keep certificates on site.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  3. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed coffee debris on the floor throughout the front prep area. Instructed the person in charge to detail clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed broken floor tiles in front of the dry storage shelving unit in the rear prep area. Instructed the person in charge to repair broken floor tiles and maintain in good repair.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed ventilation in the employee toilet room not functioning. Instructed person in charge to repair ventilation in toilet room and maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  4. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no written employee health policy on site following the new code and guidelines. Instructed to provide verification of each employee on site at all times. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-010. 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: No vomit and diarrhea procedure and kit available on site. Instructed to provide procedure along with the necessary items as outlined in policy. Priority foundation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Noted ice scoops not properly stored. Ice scoop holders stored on top of the ice machine at the rear with no ice scoop holders. Instructed to remove and provide an ice scoop holders.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Noted heavy coffee dust particles on the coffee machine at the rear. Instructed to clean and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no lid on trash can in women's bathroom. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Noted heavy clutter throughout the rear kitchen prep/dry storage area on shelves, floors. Instructed to detail clean, organize and remove all unnecessary or unused articles to prevent hiding places for pest.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  5. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    2 critical3 general Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no written employee health policy on site following the new code and guidelines. Instructed to provide verification of each employee on site at all times. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-010. 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: No vomit and diarrhea procedure and kit available on site. Instructed to provide procedure along with the necessary items as outlined in policy. Priority foundation. 7-38-005. No citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • GeneralFood handling

      Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on large cutting board in front prep area. Instructed to store wiping cloths in sanitziing bucket when not in use.

      Official wording (code 41)

      Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no lid on trash can in women's bathroom. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed clutter in front of 3-compartment sink in rear area. Instructed to remove and maintain.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  6. Pass

    License 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: Must install a splash guard between the rear dish/prep exposed hand sink and the three compartment sink.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Must install a back flow prevention device on espresso machine and all other equipment with water source.

  7. Fail

    License · Fail

    2 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time

      Inspector’s note: No chemical sanitizer on premises for the three compartment sink. Must provide. Critical violation 7-38-030.

    • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

      Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area

      Inspector’s note: Both mechanical blower hand drying devices in the customer mens and womans washrooms not operational. Must repair or provide paper towels. Critical violation 7-38-030.

    • 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: Rear exit door to alley found not rodent proofed. Open 1/2 inch gap on bottom seal of the door. Must provide a tight fitting seal on the bottom of the door. Serious violation 7-38-020.

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

      Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock

      Inspector’s note: Must provide chemical test strips for sanitizer to be used at the three compartment sink. Serious violation 7-38-030.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Must install a splash guard between the rear dish/prep exposed hand sink and the three compartment sink.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

      Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

      Inspector’s note: Must provide a metal stem thermometer for food temperature checking.

  8. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

More in ZIP 60640

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.