Pass

The Understudy Coffee and Books

5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Restaurant ZIP 60640 Risk 2 (Medium)

Passed · as of Dec 19, 2025

The Understudy Coffee and Books was last inspected on December 19, 2025 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 1 violation, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

December 19, 2025 · Canvass

Pass

Result: Pass

1 critical
  • CriticalFood handling

    Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

    Inspector’s note: Observed a small amount of brown residue on the inside panel of ice machine in the rear dishwashing area. Instructed to schedule a cleaning and maintain.

    Official wording (code 16)

    Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspection history

4 inspections on record

  1. 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: Person in charge does not have a city of chicago sanitation certificate. Priority foundation violation.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible inside all reach-in coolers.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly store cleaning supplies 6" off the floor underneath the 3 compartment sink for easy access on cleaning.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Found no certified food manager on site while tcs foods (dairy, sandwiches etc) are being prepared and served. Instructed person in charge, a certified food manager with city of chicago foodservice sanitation certificate must be present at all times that time/temperature control for safety (tcs) food is being handled.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

  2. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no additional prep/dump sink in the front preparation/beverage area. Instructed the person in charge to provide an additional prep/dump sink in the front preparation/beverage area.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  3. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

More in ZIP 60640

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 11 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.