Mella Cafe

Year by year

Inspections

1. Jul 29, 2025 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED SINGLE USE PLASTIC AND CARDBOARD BOXES FOR PASTRIES STORED FACING UP IN THE PASTRY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT TRAY TO PROTECT FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.

2. Dec 2, 2024 Canvass · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

     INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE WITH MINIMAL MINERAL BUILD-UP (BEHIND THE FRONT SERVICE CAFE).

   • Severity not stated

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR

   • Severity not stated

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

     INSTRUCTED TO PAINT RAW WOOD (HOT WATER TANK ROOM) DOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA (NEXT TO MEN'S WASHROOM).

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FOR MOP FAUCET IN DISHWASHING AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED DRAINPIPE FROM AIR CONDITIONER DUMPING INTO HANDSINK IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY REALIGN (DISPOSE) DRAINPIPE ONTO FLOOR DRAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

     OBSERVED DRIED LEAVES ON GROUND UNDER NEXT TO GARBAGE DUMPSTER IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR SALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, REAR STORAGE AND INSIDE BOILER ROOM AREA

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE PREP DISHWASHING AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

     FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ALL FOOD HANDLERS THAT DO NOT HAVE CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE SHALL COMPLETE AN APPROVED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING PROGRAM.

   • 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.

3. Feb 14, 2023 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDSINKS LOCATED IN THE FRONT DISPENSING AND REAR PREPARATION AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDSINKS AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

     OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER CONSPICUOUSLY PLACED IN COLD BEVERAGE REACH-IN COOLER, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DISPENSING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLING UNITS.

   • Severity not stated

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

     OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SCRATCHES AND STAINS ON PREP TABLE, LOCATED IN REAR PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RESURFACE/REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM, LOCATED IN THE REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE FOR THE WOMENS TOILET ROOM AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED BOTH TOILET ROOM DOORS NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING MECHANISM FOR BOTH TOILET ROOM DOORS AND MAINTAIN.

4. Sep 28, 2022 License · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON-PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     NO HANDWASH SINK IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A HANDWASH SINK WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER IN THE PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C).

   • Serious Priority

     PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

     ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS ARE OFF AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS MUST BE TURNED ON WITH COOLERS AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 41.0 F OR BELOW AND FREEZERS FROZEN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

     NO METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE AND CALIBRATE A METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON-PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

     NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON-PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK FROM A LICENSED ILLINOIS PEST CONTROL OPERATOR ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C).

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN DISHWASHER HANDWASH SINK AND THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

     NO SANITIZING TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON MOP SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

     NO OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS/OUTSIDE DUMPSTER CONTRACT FOR ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B).