Harper Cafe

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Nov 13, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical2 general Show violations

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signs at hand washing sinks in washrooms. Instructed manager to provide hand washing signs at all hand washing sinks used by employees.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed over 60 mice droppings scattered on shelves and floors along walls and corners in storage room 309. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

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

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

2. Oct 31, 2024 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   No violations

3. May 29, 2019 Conditional

   Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical4 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no policy in place for employee health. Must provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

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

     Inspector’s note: No procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrhea events. Must provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Must provide covered receptacles for toilet rooms used by women.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must detail cleans floors along wallbase at corners and around heavy equipment of debris and litter.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Remove unnecessary articles and clutter under counter at front service counter and mop closet. Organize and maintain at all times.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Detail clean /sanitize interior bottom of refrigeration units of food spills and food debris. Clean counter top at 3-comp sink utensil draining area.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

4. Jun 5, 2018 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Clean interior and exterior surfaces of ice machine, beverage machines, cooler and shelves in prep area.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Clean floors under all shelving units, along walls and in all corners in prep and storage areas.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Clean all walls vents and window frame in prep area(dust buildup).

5. Apr 27, 2017 Conditional

   Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical4 general Show violations

   • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

     Wash and rinse water: clean and proper temperature

     Inspector’s note: Observed improper washing of utensils by employee at the three comp sink. Employee took the milk container used to steam milk at the expresso machine, rinsed it with plain water and submerged it in sanitized water set up at the three comp sink. Instructed that all utensils and dishware must be washed, rinsed and sanitized and that all compartments must be set up at the sink properly. Critical violation 7-38-030.

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     * certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

     Inspector’s note: Found no city of chicago food sanitation managers certificate posted or person on duty as required while handling potentially hazardous foods. Serious violation 7-38-012.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must clean rear interior of ice machine and maintain. Clean counter tops, interiors of refrigeration units and exterior surface of ice machine.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must clean floors around and under equipment. Must elevate all items off of floor six inches with proper shelving (not milk crates) to clean underneath properly.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must clean the three comp sink compartments and surface areas of the sink and maintain.

6. Dec 19, 2016 No Entry

   Canvass · No Entry

   No violations

7. Oct 28, 2015 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   7 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must provide proper info on cut fruit salad.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

     Inspector’s note: Must store plastic wear properly.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must remove rust from fanguards in sandwich cooler.must repair or replace worn door gasket on glass reach in cooler.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must clean debri from floor along wall bases

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

     Inspector’s note: Must replace burntout light in dining area.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn

     Inspector’s note: Must provide hair restraints for food handlers.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food handler requirements met

     Inspector’s note: Idph food handlers requirements not met.must enroll and maintain.

8. May 17, 2013 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical4 general Show violations

   • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

     Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area

     Inspector’s note: No sanitary hand drying device at the hand washing sink in the prep area. Must provide at all times. Critical citation issued 7-38-030

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must detail clean the interior of the microwaves and remove food debris.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors in the prep area and remove food debris.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must repair/install ventilation in mens washroom and remove foul odors.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must store all items in the storage area 6 inches off the floor.

9. Mar 16, 2012 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors throughout prep & storage areas & remove food debris build up.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

     Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace broken faucet at three compartment sink. Must install or provide access to a mop sink.

10. Mar 13, 2012 Fail

    Canvass · Fail

    3 general Show violations

    • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: No pest control log book available for inspection. Must provide & maintain a complete pest control log book on site at all times. Serious citation issued 7-38-020.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors throughout prep & storage areas & remove food debris build up.

    • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

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

      Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace broken faucet at three compartment sink. Must install or provide access to a mop sink.