RestaurantLicence 2378811

Cafe Mustache

2313-2315 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago 60647

Latest verdictFailOct 7, 2026 · 6 days ago

Inspections14since Apr 9, 2015

Fail rate21.4%3 of 14 verdictscitywide 22.4% · below average

City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass57%
Conditional21%
Fail21%

14 inspections from 2015 to 2026 · hover a mark

20172019202120232025

FailOct 7, 2026ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no city of Chicago certified food manager on site with valid original certificate during time of inspection while preparing and serving tcs foods (milk, eggs, hummus, quinoa). Instructed to provide at least one certificate holder on site while open and operating. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-012. Citation issued.
2. 16
  Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
  Observd internal panels of ice machine with accumulated build up of visible black and pink mold-like substance dripping onto ice used for human consumption. Instructed to remove buildup, clean and sanitize as required and maintain. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.
3. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed approximately 1 quart oat milk, 1 quart half and half, 1 quart milk stored in self serve containers on rolling cart in dining area at improper temperatures during time of inspection. Noted temperature ranging between 50-53f. Instructed to hold all cold tcs foods @41f and below at all times. Pic discarded at this time. Priority violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.
4. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed duct tape on wall near handsink in prep area, mending surfaces of bar and on handles of cooling units. Instructed to remove tape, repair surfaces to be smooth and easily cleanable and in good condition
5. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed internal surfaces of sliding door cooling unit in bar in need of cleaning. Noted pooling of brown water and food debris floating throughout said unit. Instructed to clean and maintain.
6. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed floor throughout prep area in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove all food debris behind ice machine, coffee equipment, cooling units and storage racks and maintain.
7. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed closet containing speakers and other miscellaneus items stored improperly. Instructed to organize said space, remove uneccesary items and elevate items at least 6 inches off floor.
8. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed vents throughout ceilings and walls throughout prep area in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove dust and dirt build up.
9. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed inadequate lighting throughout prep area, bar, rear storage and hallway near restrooms. Instructed to replace burned out bulbs and increase current lighting. Must maintain.
PassJun 20, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Noted no handwash signage at northeast washroom. Instructed to provide and maintain.
2. 16
  Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
  Noted top interior of ice machine not clean. Instructed to remove ice, clean and maintain.
3. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Noted food handlers in prep area without hair restraints. Instructed to provide and maintain.
4. 43
  In-use utensils: properly stored
  Observed ice scooper being store on the top of the ice machine. Instructed to provide proper container for holding in between use.
5. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed clutter on floors throughout facility. Noted small items on the floors in equipment closet, hallway to washrooms, dj booth, and mop closet. Instructed to remove all unnecessary items, all kept items shall be stored on proper shelving that is non-porous, smooth and easy to clean, and a minimum of 6 inches off the floor
6. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Noted no proof of training for all food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain records on site at all times.
PassNov 8, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Found no handwashing signage at hand sinks dishwashing/preparation/bar areas.must provide.
PassOct 10, 2023Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
FailOct 2, 2023CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Clean the interior of the small toaster/convection oven.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Repair the vinyl flooring in disrepair in the kitchen area. Observed peeling paint/wall paper on the wall under the hand drying device in the washroom next to the photo booth. Management instructed to repair the floor and wall so that they are both smooth and easily cleanable.
3. 60
  Previous core violation corrected
  Previous core violations from report #2563117 on 9/1/22 not corrected: 53 - must provide covered waste receptacles in all washrooms used by women. 55 - clean the food debris on the walls of the food prep area. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090. Citation issued.
PassSep 1, 2022CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Must provide covered waste receptacles in all washrooms used by women.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Clean the food debris on the walls of the food prep area.
3. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  The ventilation fan in the front washroom on the cafe side is not operational. Management instructed to repair or replace the ventilation fan.
PassJul 22, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 16
  Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
  Observed slight pink build up inside ice machine. Must clean interior of ice machine and maintain.
2. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed 1/4 inch gap at rear exit door sweep. Must rodent proof said door.
PassJul 13, 2020CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Clean the exterior of the grease trap.
2. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Clean the toilet in the washroom in the bar area.
3. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Clean the grease on the wall of the prep area behind the panini press. Clean the walls of the storage room around the mop sink. Clean the floor underneath the 3 compartment sink and storage shelves.
4. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  The ventilation fan in the small washroom in the restaurant area is not operational. Must repair or replace the ventilation fan.
5. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed one of the light fixtures in the prep area not operational. Must replace the burnt out light bulbs.
ConditionalOct 21, 2019CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  Inspector comments: 2-501.11 no written clean-up procedure on premises for vomit and diarrhea events. Management instructed to provide a clean-up procedure and supplies. Priority foundation 7-38-005. No citation issued
2. 9
  No bare hand contact with rte food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed
  Observed female food handler handle a ready to eat bagel with bare hands.instructed to provide gloves,paper or utensils to handle ready to eat foods.product was discarded.(priority 7-38-010)
3. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  Must label repackaged baked goods on display for sale with proper info given.
4. 44
  Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
  Must invert multiuse utensils on dish storage shelves.
5. 46
  Gloves used properly
  Instructed to use gloves to prevent cross contamination.
6. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Must remove rust from shelving unit in prep cooler in coffee area.must apply a sealant or paint raw wood over head shelf above furnace room.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean dust and debris build up from shelving units throughout,window sills,interior panel of ice machine,counter top underneath coffee machine,reach in freezer,pipe of grease trap at 3- comp sink.
8. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Must repair or replace slow drain at hand sink of right side toilet room in hallway.
9. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Must provide lids on garbage cans in unisex toilet rooms.
10. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must repair or replace stained ceiling tiles in dining & prep areas.damaged floor tiles near mop sink & record booth.
11. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must clean food debris from walls in prep area.
12. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must scrape and paint peeling paint on walls in dining,mop sink area & prep area.
13. +4 more
ConditionalSep 7, 2018Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  2-201.11 no written employee health policy provided on the premises. Management instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation 7-38-010. No citation issued.
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  2-501.11 no written clean-up procedure on premises for vomit and diarrheal events. Management instructed to provide a clean-up procedure and supplies. Priority foundation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
3. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  4-602.13 clean the dust from the wire storage shelves.
4. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Pa 100-0367 all certified food managers must take the allergen training. Must show proof of training.
5. 61
  Summary report displayed and visible to the public
  8-304.11(a) previous inspection report summary from 8/31/18 was not posted. Management was given a copy of today's inspection report summary and was instructed to post it in view of all customers.
FailAug 31, 2018CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  2-201.11 no written employee health policy provided on the premises. Management instructed to provide a signed employee health policy for each employee. Priority foundation 7-38-010. No citation issued.
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  2-501.11 no written clean-up procedure on premises for vomit and diarrheal events. Management instructed to provide a clean-up procedure and supplies. Priority foundation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
3. 23
  Proper date marking and disposition
  3-501.17 observed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety (tcs) foods (hummus) not date marked to indicate the date in which the food must be sold, discarded or consumed within 7 days. Priority foundation 7-38-005. No citation issued.
4. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  6-501.111(e)(1)(a) no current pest control log book was provided on the premises. The last pest control inspection report was from july 2017. Management instructed that a pest control company must provide at least 2 pest inspections a year and they must be maintained in the log book. Management instructed to provide a current pest control log book and pest inspection report. Priority foundation 7-38-020(c). Citation issued.
5. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  3-304.14 observed wet wiping cloths stored on top of the prep tables and coolers. Management instructed to store all wet wiping cloths in a container of sanitizer when not in use.
6. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  4-602.13 clean the dust from the wire storage shelves.
7. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.12 clean the floor underneath the 3 compartment sink behind the bar.
8. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Pa 100-0367 all certified food managers must take the allergen training. Must show proof of training.
PassOct 13, 2017CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 32
  Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
  Caulk around 3 compartment sink in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced, caulk around exposed hand sink in kitchen prep area in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced. Reach in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall ne repaired/replaced.
2. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Reach in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning, cooler door gaskets not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices). Kitchen storage shelving/racks not clean, had excess debris accumulation, need detailed cleaning(crevices).
3. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Floors in front counter area and bar area not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
4. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Walls that had peeling paint/exposed plaster in kitchen areas by exposed hand sinks, shall be repaired/sealed. Walls in kitchen prep areathat had food splattering by prep table need detailed cleaning.
5. 37
  Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
  Rear bathroom door self closing mechanism in state of disrepair, shall be repaired/replaced.
ConditionalApr 8, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 6
  Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
  Noted employee preparing and serving sandwiches without wearing gloves or washing hands. Also noted same employee picking shredded cheese with bare hands and putting it inside chili and serving it to customers. Instructed to wear gloves or use utensils or tongs at all times ready to eat foods are prepared and served. Critical violation #7-38-010(a)
2. 34
  Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
  Noted cracks on floor and a rough and uneven pavement between the kitchen and the bar. Instructed to repair and maintain.
3. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Noted stained ceiling tiles through out premises. Instructed to clean and/or replace and maintain.
4. 38
  Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
  Noted slow water drain at the hand wash sink inside bathroom. Instructed to repair and maintain.
5. 43
  Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
  Noted a bunch of dirty wash cloths on top of grease trap not properly stored. Instructed to store all wash cloths in a sanitizing solution especially when not in use.
PassApr 9, 2015LicenseRisk 1 (High)
1. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Interior of the two door small freezer with food debris. Must clean and maintain.
2. 41
  Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
  All stored items in the dining room closet must be elevated from the floor 6" or above.

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

5512×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
496×
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
565×
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
163×
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
533×
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
383×
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
53×
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
472×
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 2378811 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.