Cafe Libra

Year by year

Inspections

1. Jul 8, 2026 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)

   Result: Pass.

2. Jul 1, 2026 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     NOTED PAPER TOWELS AT THE HAND WASH SINKS OF THE REAR PREP AND BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     NOTED NO SOAP AT THE BASEMENT HAND WASH SINK OF THE DISH WASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED. CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATIONS.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

     NOTED ESTABLISHMENT SERVING UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEMS (STEAKS AND EGGS) WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY, DISCLOSURE OR REMINDERS TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU WITH A DISCLOSURE NOTICE AND REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED TODAY.

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     NOTED OVER 20 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND HAVE PREMISES TREATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     NOTED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLER/FREEZERS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.

   • Severity not stated

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

     NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNITS.

   • Severity not stated

     WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

     NOTED A LARGE MIXING BOWL UNABLE TO FIT INSIDE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS FOR PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PROPER WASHING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT OR REMOVE EQUIPMENT.(LARGE POTS AND PANS)

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL SHELVES AND COUNTER TOPS OF EQUIPMENT AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AT THE FOLLOWING AREAS:- FLOORS UNDERNEATH COOKING STOVE AND FRYERS AT THE FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA, FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER WITH FOOD SPILLS AND LIQUID, FLOORS THROUGH OUT THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE. MUST CLEAN AND SANITZE AREAS WHERE RAT DROPPINGS WERE FOUND.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREAS ON SHELVES AND INSIDE THE DRY STORAGE ROOMS OF THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

3. May 9, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS A LINER ON TOP OF GREASE TRAP IN THE UPSTAIR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL FROM GREASE TRAP SO THAT SURFACE IS SMOOTH, DURABLE, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED LOW LIGHTING IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT, AND IN THE UPSTAIRS CUSTOMER RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

4. Jun 5, 2024 License · 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/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010

   • Severity not stated

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

     INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS WITH STAIN AND DEEP SEAMS ON TOP OF PREP COOLER AND NEXT TO THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.

   • Severity not stated

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

     INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/PAINT RAW WOOD PANEL BEHIND PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP/COOKING AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     BRICK WALL BEHIND COFFEE MACHINE AND CAPUCCINO MACHINE THE CAFE BAR AREA NEEDS TO BE FINISHED AND SEALED, MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH, NONABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (PIPES, VENTS, UNUSED EQUIPMENT ETC) STORED IN THE BASEMENT REAR STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. OBSERVED UNUSED DISHMACHINE IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.