Did Cafe Central pass its last health inspection?

Cafe Central at 1437 W Chicago Ave was inspected on May 7, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 17 inspections on record it has failed 5 times.

What violations were cited at Cafe Central?

The most recent inspection cited 8 violations, beginning with: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE REAR PREP/KITCHEN AREA AND AT THE FRONTLINE HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?

Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.

Where does this inspection data come from?

The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.

Restaurant inspections / Restaurant

Cafe Central

1437 W Chicago Ave, Chicago 60642 · Risk 1 (High)

Pass

Most recent result

May 7, 2026

Inspections on record

Times passed

Times failed

Violations cited on May 7, 2026

#10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE REAR PREP/KITCHEN AREA AND AT THE FRONTLINE HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
#37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
#39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR/COOLER UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD GRADE LIDS AND/OR COVERS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
#39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN/PREP AREA AND BETWEEN THE FRONTLINE/FRONT PREP AREA EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASHGUARD.
#43IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY BETWEEN USAGE.
#44UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED PLATES NOT INVERTED IN REAR KITCHEN/PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT PLATES AFTER SANITIZING AND AIR DRYING.
#47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE FREEZER AND OBSERVED FOOD ITEM COVERED WITH FOIL IN REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS AND CONTAINERS ONLY.
#47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN/DISHWASHING AREA AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING THAT IS 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

Inspection history

Date	Type	Result	Risk
May 7, 2026	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 24, 2025	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 17, 2025	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 21, 2024	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 18, 2024	Canvass Re-Inspection	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 7, 2024	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Nov 29, 2023	Canvass Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Nov 22, 2023	Canvass	Fail	Risk 1 (High)
Apr 22, 2022	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jul 2, 2019	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Aug 28, 2018	Canvass	Pass w/ Conditions	Risk 1 (High)
Oct 5, 2017	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Oct 13, 2016	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jun 10, 2015	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Mar 17, 2014	Canvass	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jan 15, 2013	License Re-Inspection	Pass	Risk 1 (High)
Jan 9, 2013	License	Fail	Risk 1 (High)

Source

Food Inspectionsupdated weeklyofficial portal ↗

Inspection records are published by the Chicago Department of Public Health. A failed inspection does not necessarily mean an establishment closed — most are re-inspected after correcting violations.

Other inspected places in 60642

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Cafe Central — questions

Did Cafe Central pass its last health inspection?: Cafe Central at 1437 W Chicago Ave was inspected on May 7, 2026 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the result was "Pass". Across 17 inspections on record it has failed 5 times.
What violations were cited at Cafe Central?: The most recent inspection cited 8 violations, beginning with: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE REAR PREP/KITCHEN AREA AND AT THE FRONTLINE HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
What does "Risk 1 (High)" mean?: Chicago assigns every food establishment a risk category based on how much food handling it does. Risk 1 (High) covers full-service restaurants and is inspected most often; Risk 2 (Medium) and Risk 3 (Low) — such as places serving only pre-packaged food — are inspected less frequently.
Where does this inspection data come from?: The City of Chicago publishes every food-establishment inspection it performs, including the result and the full text of any violations cited. This page reads that dataset directly and updates as the city posts new inspections.

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