Truenorth Cafe

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

Inspector’s note: Observed over 100 mice droppings scattered on floor along walls and corner near 3-compartment sink, fire extinguishers, shelving units, prep coolers, on thermostat and inside bottom compartments of prep and unused display coolers, on electrical outlets and equipment in prep and storage areas. Observed numerous flying insects in prep area. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violations not corrected from report #2617460 on 5-14-25:38-observed 1/4" gap under front overhead door and entrance door. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on doors to prevent pest entry.40- observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.51-observed leaking faucets on 3-compartment and prep sinks. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.55- observed damaged floor tiles in front coffee prep, dining, rear prep and dish washing areas. Instructed manager to replace all damaged floor tiles in all areas. Observed missing ceiling tiles in rear prep area. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.observed debris on floor along walls and corners, dust buildup on fixtures, piping and electrical outlets along walls in prep and dining areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.priority foundation 7-42-090…

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

Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4" gap under front overhead door and entrance door. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on doors to prevent pest entry.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaking faucets on 3-compartment and prep sinks. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed damaged floor tiles in front coffee prep, dining, rear prep and dish washing areas. Instructed manager to replace all damaged floor tiles in all areas. Observed missing ceiling tiles in rear prep area. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floor along walls and corners, dust buildup on fixtures, piping and electrical outlets along walls in prep and dining areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed over 100 mice droppings scattered inside prep coolers on compressor thermostat, inner surgaces of all coolers, on floor under used and unused display coolers, along walls behind unused two-door cooler and shelving units in dining area, along walls and corners behind prep coolers, 3-compartment sink, prep sink in rear prep area, along walls and corners in coffee prep area. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

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

Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4" gap under front overhead door and entrance door. Instructed manager to seal all outer openings on doors to prevent pest entry.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the interior panel of the ice machine and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the cold water faucet knob missing at the mop sink in the utility closet; instructed to replace.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed leaking faucets on 3-compartment and prep sinks. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in north unisex washroom. Instructed manager to provide covered receptacles in all women and unisex washrooms.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed damaged floor tiles in front coffee prep, dining, rear prep and dish washing areas. Instructed manager to replace all damaged floor tiles in all areas.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed debris on floor along walls and corners, dust buildup on fixtures, piping and electrical outlets along walls in prep and dining areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the interior panel of the ice machine and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the cold water faucet knob missing at the mop sink in the utility closet; instructed to replace.

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

Inspector’s note: Front entrance door has a 1/2 inch gap at the bottom; instructed to rodent proof door by providing a strip at the bottom to avoid possible rodent entry.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the cold water faucet knob missing at the mop sink in the utility closet; instructed to replace.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the light switch cover missing on the light switch in the utility closet; instructed to provide a cover.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle for proper disposal of sanitary napkins in all-gender washroom. Instructed to provide covered waste receptacle.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the rubber gasket on the bottom of the prep cool (last door)in poor repair. Must repair and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the hand sink in the rear kitchen with a leak at the base of the hot water knob. Must repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Floors need cleaning in the kitchen behind the 2-door & prep cooler to remove spill and debris.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the interior panel of the ice machine and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed a leak from the faucet neck of the one compartment sink in the prep area; repair leak. Observed a leak from the hot water faucet knob at the exposed hand sink in the front coffee prep area; repair leak.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the floor drain at the three comp sink and maintain. Instructed to clean the floors around, under and behind kitchen equipment and ice machine in front prep area.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed litter and debris on floor under shelving in out side storage area. Must remove water on floor of same area and detail clean floor.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Remove clutter and unused equipment in outside storage area. Organize and maintain at all times.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed faucet leaking on 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

Inspector’s note: Observed cold hold unit not maintaining proper temperature 49.3f instructed manager to repair and maintain 41f or below. Cold hold unit is tagged held for inspection and must not be used until reinspected by chicago department of health. Priority citation issued 7-38-005.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Observed no metal stem thermometer available. Instructed manager to provide metal stem thermometer for internal temperatures. Priority foundation citation issued 7-38-005

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers not wearing hair restraints. All food handlers must wear effective hair restraints.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed single service articles stored on floor in outside garage storage area. Instructed manager to elevate all single service articles off floor.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed stoppers leaking and in poor repair under 3-compartment sink. Observed ice buildup in rear reach-in freezer. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed dust, dirt, food debris on coolers, freezers, prep tables, cooking equipment. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed faucet leaking on front hand washing sink and 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed damaged floor tiles near 3-compartment sink and openings in ceiling tiles in rear prep area. Instructed manager to repair/replace and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated dust, dirt and debris on floor under front counter, along walls and in all corners in rear prep, dish washing and storage areas. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed unused articles in equipment in outside storage and basement areas. Instructed manager to remove all unused equipment to prevent pest harborage.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed no light shield in utensil storage area. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed no light in walk-in cooler in outside storage area. Instructed manager to provide adequate lighting and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: OBSERVED OVER 25 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR IN CORNER AND ALONG WALLS IN BASEMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(a).

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Must properly store wiping cloths in adequate chemical sanitizing solution when not in use.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Replace missing ceiling panels at rear prep area.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector’s note: Label all bulk containers in prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Repair broken door on bottom drawer cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: : clean interior and exterior of all coolers, compressor units, electrical outlets, prep tables, cooking equipment.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean floor drain under 3-compartment sink. Clean floors along walls and in all corners in prep, storage, and basement areas.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean light shields in rear prep area. Seal all brick walls in front prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Secure rear exposed sink to wall in rear prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Remove all unused equipment in basement to prevent pest harborage.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed over 20 rat droppings on floor in corner and along walls in basement storage area. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Serious violation 7-38-020

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector’s note: Label all bulk containers in prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Repair broken door on bottom drawer cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean interior and exterior of all coolers, compressor units, electrical outlets, prep tables, cooking equipment.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean floor drain under 3-compartment sink. Clean floors along walls and in all corners in prep, storage, and basement areas.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean light shields in rear prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Secure rear exposed sink to wall in rear prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Remove all unused equipment in basement to prevent pest harborage.