RecordWell Data

Dark Matter Coffee

736-738 N WESTERN AVE, Chicago, IL 60612 · Cook County

38cited violations
1serious tier
12inspections
22tier not stated

Establishment

Type
Restaurant (retail food serving meals) (Restaurant)
Inspected by
Chicago Department of Public Health
License / ID
2292935
Status
Risk 2 (Medium)
Official record
Chicago Department of Public Health inspection reports

Other public records for this business

Year by year

YearInspectionsViolationsSerious
2025270
2024120
2023110
2022250
2020150
2019271
2016130
2015110
2014170

Inspections

  1. Sep 5, 2025 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

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

      4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.

  2. Aug 27, 2025 Canvass · Fail — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

      OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SINK IN COFFEE PROCESSING/GRINDING & PACKAGING AREA MUST INSTALL A HAND SINK WITH HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER,SOAP & TOWELS(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)

    • Severity not stated

      THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

      MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER FOR SMALL REFRIGERATOR AND HOT HOLDING UNIT AT SERVICE COUNTER.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (SQUEEZE BOTTLES,ETC)

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

      MUST LABEL REPACKAGED DESSERTS ON DISPLAY FOR SALE WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.

    • Severity not stated

      INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

      OBSERVED GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.

    • Severity not stated

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

      MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.

  3. Dec 16, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT ESPECIALLY UNDER THE PALLETS.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

  4. Jul 27, 2023 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DEBRIS ON SIDE OF ICE MACHINE AND BEHIND LOW-TEMP DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

  5. Aug 25, 2022 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

      THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

      OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE FRONT MINI REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

    • Severity not stated

      TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

      OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE REAR (ROASTING AREA) UNISEX STAFF TOLIET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE PRODUCTION/ROASTING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

      OBSERVED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS AT ALL TIMES.

  6. Apr 12, 2022 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

      PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

      OBSERVED EMPLOYEE IN PREP AREA SCOOPING ICE, POURING MILK AND COFFEE WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. ALL EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD ITEMS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT (HAT, HAIR NET, SCARF).

  7. Jun 15, 2020 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

      FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

      FOUND INTERIOR WHITE PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      FOUND DRIED AND LOOSE COFFEE DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      FOUND BROKEN TOILET LID ON TOILET, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      FOUND CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER AND MAINTAIN.

    • Severity not stated

      ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

      FOUND BURNED OUT LIGHT BULB IN REAR DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT AND MAINTAIN.

  8. Aug 6, 2019 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED CONCRETE WALLS IN BOTH PRODUCTION AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

  9. Aug 1, 2019 Canvass · Fail — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Not serious Priority Foundation

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

      OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

      OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND CLEAN UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Serious Priority

      ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

      OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT THE HAND SINK IN THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM (70.7 DEGREE F). INSTRUCTED THAT THE MINIMUM HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE HAND SINK SHOULD BE 100 DEGREE F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

    • Severity not stated

      FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

      OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GRIME AND DIRT ON THE INSIDE PLANK OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

    • Not serious Priority Foundation

      THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

      OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

    • Severity not stated

      PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

      OBSERVED CONCRETE WALLS IN BOTH PRODUCTION AREAS OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED THAT WALLS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

  10. Jul 15, 2016 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS IN THE BASEMENT CORNERS.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE VENTS IN THE TOILETS ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL THE WALL UNDER THE WASH BOWL IN THE REAR TOILET ROOM. ALSO, PROVIDE COVING TO THE LOWER WALLS THROUGH OUT, SEALING ALL THE OPENIGS/GAPS. MAINTAIN SAME.

    • Not serious Minor

      PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

      INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE THE CLUTTER IN BOTH BASEMENT AND ORGANIZE AREAS. MUST HANG ALL MOPS UP TO DRY WHEN NOT IN USE.

  11. Jun 24, 2015 Canvass · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      REPAIR THE LEAK AT THE DRAIN LINE BELOW THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK NEXT TO THE ROASTING AREA.

  12. Jul 3, 2014 License · Pass — Risk 2 (Medium)
    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

      MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF CART NEXT TO DISH MACHINE.MUST RECAULK HAND SINK IN FRONT TOILET ROOM.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE DOOR HANDLE ON VANITY IN FRONT TOILET ROOM.

    • Not serious Minor

      FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

      MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER,TABLES,EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE.

    • Not serious Minor

      FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

      MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES AND BASEMENT.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREMISES.

    • Not serious Minor

      WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

      MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE AND MISSING WALL BASES IN DISH WASHING AREA,ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA,THRESHOLD AT FRONT DOOR,WALLS AND CEILINGS NOT FINISHED IN PRODUCTION AREA AND ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA & LAB CLOSET.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT THROUGHOUT PREMISES.MUST CLEAN CEILING NEAR ICE MACHINE.

    • Not serious Minor

      LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

      MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AT ROASTING FLOOR & PRODUCTION AREA,LIGHT SHIELDS IN LAB AREA.

    • Not serious Minor

      VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

      MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN REAR TOILET ROOM.MUST REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION COVER IN PRODUCTION AREA.MUST CLEAN VENTILATION UNIT IN ROASTING FLOOR.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY PIPE AT HAND SINK NEAR ICE COFFEE BREWING AREA.

    • Not serious Minor

      PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

      MUST ELEVATE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ARTICLES & EQUIPMENT OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN BASEMENT.

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.