Conditional

Corner Bakery Cafe

500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60661

Restaurant ZIP 60661 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of Jun 1, 2026

Corner Bakery Cafe was last inspected on June 1, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 9 violations, 4 of them critical.

Latest inspection

June 1, 2026 · Complaint

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

4 critical4 general1 paperwork
  • CriticalManagement & training

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed no person-in-charge with city of chicago certified food manager training or certificate on-site at time of inspection. Instructed to maintain at least one person-in-charge with city of chicago certified food manager on-site during all hours of food operation. Priority foundation violation.

    Official wording (code 1)

    Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

    Inspector’s note: Observed hand soap not provided at the coffee preparation area handwashing sink. Instructed to provide hand soap to all handwashing sinks and maintain available for use in handwashing at all times. Person-in-charge provided hand soap to coffee preparation area handwashing sink on-site at time of inspection. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-030(c) 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: Observed disposable paper towels not provided at the coffee preparation area handwashing sink. Instructed to provide disposable paper towels or other approved hand drying method to all handwashing sinks and maintain available for use in handwashing at all times. Person-in-charge provided disposable paper towels to coffee preparation area handwashing sink on-site at time of inspection. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-030(c) citation combined with above violation.

    Official wording (code 10)

    Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

  • CriticalFood temperature

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed 2-door drawer cooler at the main kitchen line in poor repair, internal ambient air temperature of 55.0f at time of inspection. Person-in-charge aware of cooler malfunction and provided proof of work order request placed prior to inspection, no tcs food items inside listed cooler at time of inspection. Tagged equipment with instructions to contact cdph once equipment is repaired or replaced and prior to use. Instructed to repair or replace cooler to maintain tcs food items at 41.0f or below at all times. Priority violation. 7-38-005 no citation issued.

    Official wording (code 33)

    Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

  • GeneralFood handling

    Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

    Inspector’s note: Observed bulk dry food containers (salt, brown sugar, flour) at the rear bakery/oven area not labeled. Instructed to label all bulk dry food containers with the common name of the food stored and maintain at all times.

    Official wording (code 37)

    Food properly labeled; original container

  • GeneralFood handling

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard provided at the handwashing sink in the warewashing area directly adjacent to bakery rack of open bread and other baked food items. Instructed to relocate bakery rack or provide splash guard or other means to prevent contamination of open foods from splash or spillage and maintain.

    Official wording (code 39)

    Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

    Inspector’s note: Observed faucet at the main kitchen line area handwashing sink in poor repair, leaking but functional. Instructed to repair or replace main kitchen line area handwashing sink faucet to eliminate leak and maintain all plumbing fixtures in good repair.

    Official wording (code 51)

    Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed intensity of lighting in the walk-in freezer to be insufficient, light fixture in poor repair. Instructed to repair or replace walk-in freezer light fixture and maintain lighting of sufficient intensity for this area.

    Official wording (code 56)

    Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  • PaperworkManagement & training

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed no food employee on-site with city of chicago certified food manager training or original certificate on-site while tcs food items are being prepared (sandwiches, soups, salads). Instructed to provide at least one food employee with city of chicago certified food manager training and maintain original certificate(s) on-site and posted in public view at all hours of food operations. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-012 citation issued.

    Official wording (code 2)

    City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspection history

6 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    No violations

  2. Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  3. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Found fruit fly activity at premises.observed 25 fruit flies at coffee station areas.priority foundation. Citation issued.7-38-020a.must notify pest control operator and rid of fruit flies.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Found floors not clean at coffee station areas.must clean.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  4. Pass

    License · Pass

    3 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Interior surfaces of prep coolers not clean, food debris and dirt noted, instructed to clean and maintain.

      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: Unable to locate backflow prevention device for coffee makers, instructed to expose.

      Official wording (code 51)

      Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Inoperable vents in both restrooms, instructed to repair and maintain.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

  5. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

More in ZIP 60661

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