Conditional

Saic Cafe

37 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Restaurant ZIP 60603 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Apr 13, 2026

Saic Cafe was last inspected on April 13, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 12 violations, 4 of them critical.

Latest inspection

April 13, 2026 · Canvass

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

4 critical6 general2 paperwork
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Hands weren’t washed properly or when required.

    Inspector’s note: Observed poor hygienic practices by dish washer observed male dish washer with plastic gloves on washing dirty dishes and placing them inside of dish machine then proceeded to remove clean dishes several times without taking off gloves and washing hands.instructed to wash hands after handling dirty to clean dishes.(priority 7-38-010(cos)(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: Observed rear prep area/dish washing knee pedal hand sink not accessible observed a garbage can stored in front of said sink.i removed garbage cans during inspection to wash hands.instructed to keep hand sink accessible at all times.(priority foundation 7-38-030(c)(cos)(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: Must repair or replace the second hand sink from the left not operable in men's toilet room.

    Official wording (code 10)

    Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

  • CriticalFood temperature

    Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

    Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of tcs ready to eat foods such as 1- gallon-milk-46.3f-47.6f.5lbs.yogurt-53.6f-54.3f.10lbs.hummus-54.3f.2lbscheese cakes-46.9f-53.6f.stored inside of open display units on sales floor.product was discarded by manager.must have cold holding foods at 41.0f or below.appx.25lbs. $82.(priority 7-38-005)(cos)(citation issued)

    Official wording (code 22)

    Proper cold holding temperatures

  • GeneralFood temperature

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed improper temperatures of milk cold holding unit-52.7f and yogurt cold holding unit at 61.5f with tcs ready to eat foods stored inside. A held for inspection tag has been placed on units.must have cold holding units at 41.0f or below.once repaired email:food@cityofchicago.org(priority 7-38-005)(cos)(citation issued)

    Official wording (code 33)

    Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

  • GeneralFood temperature

    Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

    Inspector’s note: Must provide a thermometer for small milk refrigerator in front prep area.

    Official wording (code 36)

    Thermometers provided & accurate

  • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

    Gloves weren’t used properly.

    Inspector’s note: Improper usage of plastic gloves by dish washer.(cos)

    Official wording (code 46)

    Gloves used properly

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Must clean food debris build up from interior of unused grill prep cooler,prep table,walk in cooler- fanguard covers.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Must provide a hooking system to hang up wet mops from floor in mopsink closet to air dry properly.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Must clean food debris and paper build up from floor along wall bases in front prep area.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Not all food employees had food-handler training.

    Inspector’s note: Observed some missing food handlers training for some employees must provide and maintain.

    Official wording (code 57)

    All food employees have food handler training

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Required allergen training was missing.

    Inspector’s note: Observed missing food allergen training for new employee must provide and maintain.

    Official wording (code 58)

    Allergen training as required

Inspection history

3 inspections on record

  1. Conditional

    Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

    4 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed all necessary items for complying with procedure not available on site when employees respond to vomitting or diarrheal events. Instructed to obtain and maintain on site all necessary items for complying with written procedure for employees to follow when responding to vomitting or diarrheal events. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 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 handwashing signage in women, men's and all gender washrooms. Instructed to post clearly visible signage that notifies food employees to wash their hands at all handwashing sinks used by food employees.

      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: Observed handwashing soap and paper towel dispenser installed above three compartment sink in dishwashing area. Instructed to remove handwashing soap and paper towel dispenser installed above three compartment sink a sink for utensil washing may not be provided with handwashing aids and devices required for a handwashing sink. Corrected on site handwashing soap and paper towel dispenser installed above three compartment sink removed from said area before conclusion of inspection.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

      Inspector’s note: Observed cold tcs foods, held at improper temperatures ranging between 48.7-61.3f. Observed cold tcs foods, spinach(61.3f), cheese(48.7-49.5f), sliced tomatoes(48.7f), bacon(52.9f) and ham(50.5f) held at improper temperature. Instructed all cold tcs food must be held at 41f or below. Corrected on site manager voluntarily discarded and denatured food valued at $30 weighing 4lbs. Priority violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

      Official wording (code 22)

      Proper cold holding temperatures

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed missing food guard in between action station burners and front counter. Instructed to install food guard in between action station burners and front counter to prevent contamination of food during preparation. Corrected on site held for inspection tag placed on action station burners.(note: action station burners not in use at time of inspection) priority foundation violation 7-38-005 no citation issued.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates used to elevate boxes in walk in freezer. Instructed to provide adequate shelving to elevate all food and non food items at least six inches off of floor for ease of cleanability.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

      Inspector’s note: Unabale to verify existence of backflow prevention device on coffee machine in front prep area. Instructed to install a backflow prevention device on coffee machine in front prep area so that it may be serviced and maintained.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed dust on filters in hoods in rear prep area. Instructed to clean filiters in hoods in rear prep area.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  2. Pass

    License · Pass

    1 general2 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Must clean floors in the dishwashing area near grease trap and in front of walk-in cooler entry door.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Unable to locate and verify food handler certificates for all food employees during inspection. Must provide and keep certificates on site.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Found no proof of allergen training on site for all city of chicago food managers. Instructed management that all city of chicago food managers must complete allergen training and keep certificate on site.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

More in ZIP 60603

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 7 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.