Pass

Bittersweet

2019 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60608

Restaurant ZIP 60608 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Nov 26, 2025

Bittersweet was last inspected on November 26, 2025 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 2 violations.

Latest inspection

November 26, 2025 · Canvass Re-Inspection

Pass

Result: Pass

1 general1 paperwork
  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Floors still in need of cleaning to remove dirt, coffee beans and debris. Instructed to clean and maintain floors.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Not all food employees had food-handler training.

    Inspector’s note: Male food handler with no food handler's certificate. Instructed to obtain and maintain a valid food handlers certificate.

    Official wording (code 57)

    All food employees have food handler training

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    1 critical3 general3 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: The person in charge without a valid/original city of chicago food service sanitation manager's certificate. Instructed all persons in charge must obtain a city of chicago food service sanitation manager's certificate. Priority foundation. Citation issued under violation #2.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Found 40 rodent droppings around the low temp. Dish machine. Instructed to remove droppings, clean/sanitize the affected areas and recommended contacting pest control for assistance. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Floors around the low temp. Dish machine with droppings, dirt and broken glass. Instructed to clean and maintain floors.

      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 from report #2607640 dated 11/19/2024 not corrected and/or maintained. Instructed to correct and maintain: -#40. Observed food handlers without adequate hair restraints such as a hair net or cap. Instructed to provide for all food handlers. -#58. Observed no proof of allergen training for managers. Instructed to meet requirement for all food service sanitation managers. Priority foundation 7-42-090 citation issued

      Official wording (code 60)

      Previous core violation corrected

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No city of chicago food service sanitation manager on site nor a valid/original city of chicago food service sanitation manager certificate posted while tcs foods (egg, milk) are being prepared handled and served to the public. Instructed a city of chicago food service sanitation manager must be on site and a valid/original certificate posted at all times the facility is open and operating. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-012.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Male food handler with no food handler's certificate. Instructed to obtain and maintain a valid food handlers certificate.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkFood handling

      The inspection summary report wasn’t posted for the public.

      Inspector’s note: The non-compliance summary report from 11/19/2024 was not posted in plain viewing of this establishment's customers. Instructed to post and maintain summary posted in plain viewing of this establishment's customers. Priority foundation 7-42-010(b) citation issued.

      Official wording (code 61)

      Summary report displayed and visible to the public

  2. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical2 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: 2-101.11 observed the person in charge without a valid/original city of chicago food service sanitation manager's certificate. Instructed all persons in charge must obtain a city of chicago food service sanitation manager's certificate. Priority foundation. Citation issued under violation #2.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

      Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed food handlers without adequate hair restraints such as a hair net or cap. Instructed to provide for all food handlers.

      Official wording (code 40)

      Personal cleanliness

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: 5-205.15 observed the pipe under the hand washing sink in poor repair with a leak. Instructed to repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: 2-101.11 observed no city of chicago food service sanitation manager on site nor a valid/original city of chicago food service sanitation manager certificate posted while tcs foods (egg, milk) are being prepared handled and served to the public. Instructed a city of chicago food service sanitation manager must be on site and a valid/original certificate posted at all times the facility is open and operating. Priority foundation. Citation issued 7-38-012.

      Official wording (code 2)

      City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13 observed no proof of allergen training for managers. Instructed to meet requirement for all food service sanitation managers.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  3. Conditional

    License Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Found sample vomit and diarrhea procedure on site. Observed no vomit and diarrhea cleaning materials to clean up said incident on site. Facility must provide procedures and cleaning materials (gloves, mask, disposable mop, disinfectant rated for norovirus) for employees to follow and use when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Instructed manager to provide. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

  4. Fail

    License · Fail

    2 critical Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Found sample vomit and diarrhea procedure on site. Observed no vomit and diarrhea cleaning materials to clean up said incident on site. Facility must provide procedures and cleaning materials (gloves, mask, disposable mop, disinfectant rated for norovirus) for employees to follow and use when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Instructed manager to provide. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 5)

      Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

    • CriticalFood handling

      Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

      Inspector’s note: Found food prep bar prep area where toaster oven is located without sneeze guard. Instructed manager to provide barrier to prevent contamination from consumers. Priority violation.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  5. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

  6. No Entry

    License · No Entry

    No violations

More in ZIP 60608

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