Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Iron Cafe

3700 S Iron St

Last inspected Oct 16, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Fail

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More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Iron Cafe last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 16, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Fail”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 3 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 4 inspections on record, from Apr 25, 2024 to Oct 16, 2026.
Has Iron Cafe ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 4 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Apr 25, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

4 inspections

License

Oct 16, 2026

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official Wording

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector’s Notes

Pre area hand wash sink in poor repair, Broken hot water knob, unable to shut off water. Instructed to repair.

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

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector’s Notes

No metal stem thermometer, instructed to obtain.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s Notes

No irreversible thermometer for high temp dish machine, instructed to obtain.

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 16, 2026 · Original Source

License Re-Inspection

May 29, 2024

Pass

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 29, 2024 · Original Source

License

May 20, 2024

Fail

4 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official Wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN BY THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE SERVING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO POST A SIGN 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

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO PROBE THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD TEMPERATURES. MUST PROVIDE. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 48Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

Inspector’s Notes

NO TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE FOR THE WASH AND SANITIZING CYCLES OF COMMERCIAL GRADE WAREWASHING MACHINE. 7-38-005 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NO CTATIONNOT 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 54Facility maintenance

Official Wording

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED STORAGE AREA AND ENCLOSURE FOR REFUSE, RECYCLABLES, OR RETURNABLES LITTERED WITH UNNECESSARY ITEMS (EX. CRATES). INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN THE MENTIONED AREAS SHALL BE MAINTAINED FREE OF UNNECESSARY ITEMS.

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, May 20, 2024 · Original Source

License