Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Cafe Mustache

2313-2315 N Milwaukee Ave

Last inspected Oct 15, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Cafe Mustache last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 15, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 4 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 6 inspections on record, from Oct 2, 2023 to Oct 15, 2026.
Has Cafe Mustache ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 6 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Oct 2, 2023.

The Full Inspection History

6 inspections

Complaint Re-Inspection

Oct 15, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector’s Notes

4-501.11 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

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s Notes

4-602.13 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.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

6-501.13 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

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector’s Notes

6-303.11 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.

In Plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 15, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Oct 7, 2026

Fail

7 recorded violations

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED VENTS THROUGHOUT CEILINGS AND WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP.

In Plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 22Food temperature

Official Wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector’s Notes

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

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 7, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 20, 2025

Pass

6 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official Wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT NORTHEAST WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official Wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED TOP INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official Wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED FOOD HANDLERS IN PREP AREA WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

notedCode 43Equipment and utensils

Official Wording

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED ICE SCOOPER BEING STORE ON THE TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER CONTAINER FOR HOLDING IN BETWEEN USE.

In Plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

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

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED NO PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 20, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Nov 8, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official Wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS DISHWASHING/PREPARATION/BAR AREAS.MUST PROVIDE.

In Plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Oct 10, 2023

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 10, 2023 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 2, 2023

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 60Other

Official Wording

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

Inspector’s Notes

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.

In Plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE SMALL TOASTER/CONVECTION OVEN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 2, 2023 · Original Source