Before you dine, check the sign.
SOCIETY COFFEE
1816 N WELLS ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60614
Health Inspection: okay
Official health department data. Inspected 2025-07-10; refreshed 2026-10-12. May lag the official record. Check the official source
10 findings at the latest imported inspection (2025-07-10), classified as noncritical violations. These dated findings do not mean the establishment failed overall or that issues remain unresolved.
Inspection history and recorded findings
2025-07-10: Short Form Complaint
Pass w/ Conditions
- Not Critical: CHI-3 — MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
- Not Critical: CHI-38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: NOTED EVIDENCE OF ANIMALS (DOGS) BROUGHT INSIDE THE PREMISE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION THAT ARE NOT SERVICE DOGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT: NO ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT UNLESS WITH PROOF THAT THE ANIMAL IS A SERVICE DOG. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-40-060. CITATION ISSUED.
- Not Critical: CHI-47 — FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED PLASTIC PROTECTIVE LAYER ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
- Not Critical: CHI-47 — FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED RAW WOOD ON UNDERSIDE OF ALL COUNTERS AT THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER AND PREP AREA TOPS. MULTIPLE SOURCES OF MOISTURE AND WATER AND EQUIPMENT PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN.
- Not Critical: CHI-51 — PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED THREE (3) PIECES OF EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA TO NOT HAVE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LOCATED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND SERVICEABLE FOR EACH MACHINE: COFFEE MAKER, ESPRESSO MACHINE, AND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE/INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR ALL.
- Not Critical: CHI-51 — PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM PIPE OF THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
- Not Critical: CHI-55 — PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ONE WALL ON SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO HAVE AN UNFINISHED BRICKWORK ON WALL BEHIND EQUIPMENT AND PREP SURFACES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH SOUTH WALL BEHIND PREP AREA TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACE OF THE UNFINISHED BRICK WORK.
- Not Critical: CHI-55 — PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED VENT/FAN COVER ON THE FAN IN THE BATHROOM, AND THE VENT COVER ON THE EXHAUST LOCATED ON WALL OVER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO BE MISSING, CREATING A NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VENT COVER AND ENSURE SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
- Not Critical: CHI-55 — PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED STUDS/OPEN WALL CAVITY ON SOUTH WALL NEXT TO BASE OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, AND ABOVE THE BATHROOM DOOR LEADING TO THE HVAC FILTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO FINISH AND ENCLOSE ALL EXPOSED STUDS, SUCH AS WITH AN ACCESS DOOR OR COVER.
- Not Critical: CHI-55 — PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING FLOOR TILE AT BASE OF BAR/PREP TABLE ACROSS FROM ICE MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.
Inspection results are separate from diner opinions. Favorable overall ratings do not negate individual findings.
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