What is Islands Cafe Co.'s health inspection score?

Islands Cafe Co. has a SafeDine safety score of 82 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Islands Cafe Co. last inspected?

Islands Cafe Co. was last inspected on October 31, 2024. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Islands Cafe Co. have?

Islands Cafe Co. has 24 total violations across 4 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Islands Cafe Co. safe to eat at?

Islands Cafe Co. has a good safety record with a score of 82/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Islands Cafe Co. serve?

Islands Cafe Co. serves Cafe cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Islands Cafe Co.

Name: Islands Cafe Co.
Address: 5212 N LINCOLN AVE, Chicago, 60625
Rating: 82

5212 N LINCOLN AVE , Chicago

Data may be outdated — inspected 10/31/2024

▲Improving

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0Good

Cafe•Lincoln Square

Ranked #192 of 448 in Lincoln SquareBetter than 71% of cafe restaurants

Improving

4 inspections

Last: Oct 31, 2024

low confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

25%

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

19 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Sanitation

Equipment or surfaces not properly cleaned/sanitized

Plumbing issues

Plumbing or waste disposal problems

Facility conditionHigh Priority

Building maintenance or structural issues

12x

Permit/documentation

Administrative or documentation issue

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-24

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-1 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-4 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-18 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

+9 pts

100

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% weight

Real-time Score: 76/100 — This score includes today's freshness penalty and may differ slightly from the displayed score (82/100) which is computed during our regular data sync.

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

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5212 N LINCOLN AVE , Chicago, IL 60625

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Violation Timeline

Jun 2023

2 inspections

2 high priority

2 intermediate

14 basic

Jun

Apr 2024

1 inspections

6 basic

Oct 2024

1 inspections

Oct

Inspection History

4 records on file

3 Canvass1 Canvass Re-Inspection

Oct 24

Canvass InspectionLatestCleanOut of Business

No violations

100/100inspection score

Apr 24

Canvass InspectionPass

6 Basic

6 total

88/100inspection score

−12 pts

Basic (6)

−12 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED RUST ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND REPAINT OR REPLACE THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
INSTRUCTED TO TRANSFER FOOD PRODUCTS FROM AN OPEN ORIGINAL CAN CONTAINER INTO FOOD GRADE CONTAINER FOR PROPER FOOD STORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLER NEXT COOKING EQUIPMENTS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DIRTY FLOORS WITH SPILLED DEBRIS BEHIND THE REAR CHEST FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED MECHANICAL VENTILATION INSIDE THE UNISEX WASHROOM NOT WORKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VENTILATION AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−12 pts

Jun 23

Canvass Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Med3 Basic

4 total

89/100inspection score

−11 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
3-601.11 OBSERVED DESSERTS SUCH AS TRES LECHE AND FLAN IN CONTAINERS IN GRAB AND GO COOLER IN SEATING AREA WITHOUT LABEL IDENTIFYING NAME, INGREDIENTS OF DESSERTS AND SOURCE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH NAME AND INGREDIENTS.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
6-501.11 OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
6-202.11 OBSERVED LIGHTS IN EXHAUST HOOD NOT WORKING. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
2-102.13 OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL ALL EMPLOYEES IN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING WITHIN FIRST THIRTY DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON PERMISES.

Base deductions−11 pts

Jun 23

Canvass InspectionFail

2 High1 Med11 Basic

14 total1 risk factor

48/100inspection score

−47 pts

High Priority (2)

−20 pts

3MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTINGRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO WRITTEN HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY, HAVE ALL EMPLOYEES READ, SIGN AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN PREP AREA LOCATED NEXT TO EXIT DOOR WITH GLASS RINSER ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GLASS RINSER. DESIGNATED HANDWASHING SINKS ARE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED DESSERTS SUCH AS TRES LECHE AND FLAN IN CONTAINERS IN GRAB AND GO COOLER IN SEATING AREA WITHOUT LABEL IDENTIFYING NAME, INGREDIENTS OF DESSERTS AND SOURCE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH NAME AND INGREDIENTS.

Basic (11)

−22 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN KITCHEN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN SHELVING TO STORE ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
48WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS−2
OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS FOR TESTING QUAT SANITIZER IN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
51PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES−2
OBSERVED NO VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES ON ESPRESSO MACHINE AND ICE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW DEVICE SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.
54GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED−2
OBSERVED GROUND SURROUNDING DUMPSTER AND GREASE CONTAINER WITH DEBRIS AND LIGHT GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN DUMPSTER AREA SUCH AS PIZZA OVEN AND SMALL GRAY GARBAGE CAN. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER AND MAINTAIN AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. OBSERVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN KITCHEN DISH WASHING AREA(SUCH AS PAINT CANS AND CLAMPS) AND STORAGE AREA ABOVE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DECLUTTER, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SOILED/STAINED FLOOR UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND MISSING CEILING TILE ABOVE STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PIPES OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WRAPPED IN FOIL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOIL AROUND PIPES OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED EXHAUST IN WASHROOM NOT WORKING AND MISSING VENT COVER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR WASHROOM EXHAUST AND REPLACE VENT COVER.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED LIGHTS IN EXHAUST HOOD AND COOLER IN SEATING AREA NOT WORKING. REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO ENROLL ALL EMPLOYEES IN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING WITHIN FIRST THIRTY DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATION ON PERMISES.
58ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED−2
OBSERVED CERTIFIED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION PREMISES.

Base deductions−47 pts

Risk factor bonus (1× +5)−5 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100
Excellent
70 – 84
Good
Below 70
Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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