Dark Matter Coffee
736-738 N WESTERN AVE, Chicago, IL 60612 · Cook County
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
Year by year
| Year | Inspections | Violations | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
Inspections
-
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.
-
Severity not stated
-
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.
-
Not serious
Priority Foundation
-
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.
-
Severity not stated
-
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.
-
Severity not stated
-
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.
-
Severity not stated
-
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).
-
Severity not stated
-
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.
-
Severity not stated
-
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.
-
Severity not stated
-
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.
-
Not serious
Priority Foundation
-
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.
-
Not serious
Minor
-
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.
-
Not serious
Minor
-
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.
-
Not serious
Minor
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.