RecordWell Data

Sipping Turtle Cafe

2959 N MILWAUKEE AVE, Chicago, IL 60618 · Cook County

52cited violations
0serious tier
11inspections
38tier not stated

Establishment

Type
Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Restaurant)
Inspected by
Chicago Department of Public Health
License / ID
2677835
Status
Risk 1 (High)
Official record
Chicago Department of Public Health inspection reports

Other public records for this business

Year by year

YearInspectionsViolationsSerious
2026140
2025280
2024140
20232120
2022190
2021260
2019290

Inspections

  1. Mar 31, 2026 Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

      OBSERVED SEVERAL ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS OF THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      OBSERVED WATER FILTRATION ATTACHED TO THE HANDSINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. HAND WASHING SINK IS USED ONLY FOR WASHING HANDS AND NOT FOR DISPENSING OF DRINKING WATER.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REORGANIZE BASEMENT AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS LEADING TO BASEMENT. MUST REAPINT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

  2. Dec 5, 2025 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

      OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE FRONT COFFEE BAR AREA HANDWASHING SINK. FACILITY HAS BULK BOTTLE OF HAND SOAP STORED BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ADJACENT TO HANDWASHING SINK AND STATES FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES REACH ONTO FLOOR TO GRAB SOAP FOR HANDWASHING WHEN NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE BOTTLE OF SOAP TO HANDWASHING SINK AND MAINTAIN EASILY-ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE FOR USE IN HANDWASHING AT ALL TIMES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE PROVIDED HAND SOAP TO HANDWASHING SINK WITHOUT REQUIRING REACHING UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

    • Severity not stated

      UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

      OBSERVED CLEAN EQUIPMENT (PLATES) AND SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES (CUPS, BOWLS) STORED IN ORIGINAL BOXES DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND SINGLE-SERVIE ARTICLES AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT TO BE SOILED: BUILD UP OF GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AT THE COFFEE BAR COUNTERTOP OVEN, BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND ICE AT THE STORAGE AREA UPRIGHT FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DRIED FOOD DEBRIS AND OTHER SOILS AND MAINTAIN.

  3. Mar 18, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

      OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      OBSERVED UNFINISHED WOOD ON THE SHELVING SHELVING UNITS IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO FINISH THE WOOD ON THE SHELVING UNITS IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

      OBSERVED LEAK AT DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED ACCUMULATED COFFEE BEANS AND DIRT ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRCUTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN.

  4. Aug 23, 2024 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

      NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

      NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SANDWICHES, SOUPS ETC.) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED, AND ALSO THE PERSON IN CHARGE MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE BY NEXT INSPECTION (UPON BEING INSPECTED) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE ESPECIALLY AT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

      NOTED THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION #58 RULE #PA-100-0367 FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2581453 DATED 09/11/2023 NOT CORRECTED.FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION VIOLATION#7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

  5. Sep 11, 2023 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

      PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

      FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (DAIRY, MILK, EGGS, 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 WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

    • Severity not stated

      THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

      INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE PREP AND REACH-IN COOLER IN PREP/SERVICE AREA.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

      OBSERVED WATER FILTRATION ATTACHED TO THE HANDSINK FAUCET. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. HAND WASHING SINK IS USED ONLY FOR WASHING HANDS AND NOT FOR DISPENSING OF DRINKING WATER.

    • Severity not stated

      PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

      INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SLOW DRAINING HANDSINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.

    • Severity not stated

      TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

      INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WASHROOM DOOR.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST REORGANIZE AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.

    • Severity not stated

      ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

      FOUND NO APPROVED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION

  6. Jun 5, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

      INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL CALCIUM BUILD-UP.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REORGANIZE INSIDE REAR BOILER CLOSET. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS WITH DUST, DIRT AND SOME LITTER ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA.

  7. May 23, 2022 Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
    • Severity not stated

      PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

      OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

      OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID DOCUMENTATION WHILE (TCS FOODS) (PREPARING DELI SANDWICHES,SOUP ETC.) IS BEING PREPARED/HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT WHILE HANDLING (TCS FOODS).PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012,CITATION ISSUED.

    • Severity not stated

      PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

      OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINTS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

    • Severity not stated

      WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

      INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE SPLASHED FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE MILK COOLER IN PREP AREA.

    • Severity not stated

      TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

      OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

      OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON THE WASHROOM DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK AREA AND THE DRY STORAGE RACKS LEADING TO BASEMENT AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND STOCK ITEMS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

  8. Apr 7, 2021 Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

    Result: Pass.

  9. Mar 31, 2021 Complaint · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

      OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

      OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOODS (SOUP, MILK, DELI MEAT). FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROPER THERMOMETERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      OBSERVED NO LABEL FOR BULK SUGAR STORAGE CONTAINER STORED ON THE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

      OBSERVED NO CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST 2 PEST INSPECTIONS A YEAR AND THE REPORTS MUST BE MAINTAINED IN THE LOG BOOK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CURRENT PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AND PEST INSPECTION REPORT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

    • Severity not stated

      NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

      OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE DISPLAY COOLER WHERE THE BAKERY ITEMS ARE STORED. ALSO, OBSERVED FOOD SPLASH IN THE INTERIOR OF THE TWO DOOR PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.

  10. Dec 24, 2019 License Re-Inspection · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

      FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-010. MUST PROVIDE

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

      FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP POLICY/SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

      FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ICE MACHINE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE WATERLINES. MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      FOUND NO EXHAUST VENTS FOR RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

  11. Dec 12, 2019 License · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

      FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-010. MUST PROVIDE.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

      FOUND NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP POLICY/SPILL KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

      FOUND NO FOOD GUARDS FOR FRONT COUNTER AREAS/ESPRESSO MACHINE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE.

    • Severity not stated

      PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

      FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ICE MACHINE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE WATERLINES. MUST PROVIDE WHERE THEY CAN BE SERVICED AND LOCATED.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      FOUND NO EXHAUST VENTS FOR RESTROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health. History last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is the inspector's wording. “Serious” is the source's own top tier. About this data.