Lea French Cafe

Year by year

Inspections

1. Mar 30, 2026 Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (BULK FOOD CONTAINER,ETC)BREAD PREP AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     3-307.11 : MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT 1- COMPARTMENT SINK NEXT TO PREP TABLE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

     IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

     3-304.12 : MUST REMOVE SCOOPS FROM BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN BREAD PREP AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

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

     4-903.11 (A;B;D) : MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES.

   • Severity not stated

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

     4-501.12 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN AND DEEP GROOVES ON CUTTING BOARDS TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     : 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PREP TABLES,EXTERIOR OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS,MEAT SLICER,MICROWAVE,DISH RACKS,WALK IN COOLER- SHELVING UNITS AND COMPRESSOR UNIT.DELIME-DISH MACHINE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-201.11 : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE FOOD SPLATTER FROM UPPER WALLS AND CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST REMOVE BLACK CAULKING BUILD UP ON WALL ABOVE DISH MACHINE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-201.13 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WALK IN COOLER FLOORING IN POOR REPAIR.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-501.13 : MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT AND FLOOR DRAINS INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     6-202.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN DISH WASHING AREA.

2. Mar 23, 2026 Canvass · Fail — Risk 1 (High)
   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

     PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(COS)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

     OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (EGGS,TURKEY,HAM,ETC)MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 3:47 P.M.(COS)(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

     OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED A LARGE BREAD ROLLING CART STORED IN FRONT OF SAID SINK MUST KEEP ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.EMPLOYEE REMOVED CART DURING INSPECTION .(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

   • Severity not stated

     FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

     MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (BULK FOOD CONTAINER,ETC)BREAD PREP AREA.

   • Severity not stated

     CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

     MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT 1- COMPARTMENT SINK NEXT TO PREP TABLE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

     IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

     MUST REMOVE SCOOPS FROM BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN BREAD PREP AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

   • Severity not stated

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

     MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES.

   • Severity not stated

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

     MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN AND DEEP GROOVES ON CUTTING BOARDS TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.

   • Severity not stated

     NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

     MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM PREP TABLES,EXTERIOR OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS,MEAT SLICER,MICROWAVE,DISH RACKS,WALK IN COOLER- SHELVING UNITS AND COMPRESSOR UNIT.DELIME-DISH MACHINE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE FOOD SPLATTER FROM UPPER WALLS AND CEILING IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST REMOVE BLACK CAULKING BUILD UP ON WALL ABOVE DISH MACHINE.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WALK IN COOLER FLOORING IN POOR REPAIR.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT AND FLOOR DRAINS INCLUDING WALK IN COOLER.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN DISH WASHING AREA.

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

     PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2624048 9/18/25 NOT CORRECTED-#56-6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST ON FILTERS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.#58-2-102.13: FACILITY PROVIDED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)

3. Sep 18, 2025 Short Form Complaint · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     5-205.15: OBSERVED LEAKING FROM DRAINPIPES OF THE RINSE AND SANITIZER COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPES OF THE RINSE AND SAINTIZER COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED STRIPPED HOT WATER KNOB AND NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HOT WATER KNOB AND RESTORE HOT WATER AT 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     5-501.17: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     6-501.12: OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, GREASE TRAPS AND DISHWASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, GREASE TRAPS AND DISHWASHING MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     6-303.11: OBSERVED NON WORKING CEILING LIGHT IN REAR NEAR UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NON WORKING CEILING LIGHT IN REAR NEAR UTILITY SINK TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST ON FILTERS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     2-102.13: FACILITY PROVIDED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES

4. Aug 18, 2025 Complaint · Pass w/ Conditions — Risk 1 (High)
   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     OBSERVED HOT TCS FOOD(COOKED BACON) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 97.3F. INSTRUCTED ALL HOT TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 135F OR ABOVE. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $15 WEIGHING 0.5LBS. CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION BELOW PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

     OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 45.7-75.6F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, BACON(47.1-50.6F), RAW EGGS IN SHELL(50.1-75.6F),SALMON(47.3F), COOKED GREEN BEANS(46.2F) AND HARD BOILED EGGS(45.7F)HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $200 WEIGHING 15LBS. CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION ABOVE PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

   • Serious Priority

     PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

     OBSERVED FOUR DRAWER COLD HOLDING UNIT UNDERNEATH FLAT TOP GRILL AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 53.1F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON FOUR DRAWER COLD HOLDING UNIT UNDERNEATH FLAT TOP GRILL. ONCE FOUR DRAWER COLD HOLDING UNIT UNDERNEATH FLAT TOP GRILL HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND ABLE TO MAINTAIN TCS FOODS AT 41F OR LESS E-MAIL FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG TO REQUEST TAG REMOVAL PRIOR TO USING UNIT.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED LEAKING FROM DRAINPIPES OF THE RINSE AND SANITIZER COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPES OF THE RINSE AND SAINTIZER COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. OBSERVED STRIPPED HOT WATER KNOB AND NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE HOT WATER KNOB AND RESTORE HOT WATER AT 1 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

     OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS.

   • Severity not stated

     PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

     OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, GREASE TRAPS AND DISHWASHING MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL IN DISHWASHING AREA UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, GREASE TRAPS AND DISHWASHING MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED NON WORKING CEILING LIGHT IN REAR NEAR UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NON WORKING CEILING LIGHT IN REAR NEAR UTILITY SINK TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

     OBSERVED DUST ON FILTERS IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.

   • Severity not stated

     ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

     FACILITY PROVIDED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES

5. May 6, 2025 License · Pass — Risk 1 (High)
   • Severity not stated

     PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

     OBSERVED LEAKING FROM DRAINPIPES OF THE RINSE AND SANITIZER COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPES OF THE RINSE AND SAINTIZER COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.