Chicago Hospital Cafeteria Shut Down After Roaches and Slime Found

Inspectors discovered more than 200 live cockroaches and a buildup of black slime on an ice machine at the Rendezvous Café and patient kitchen at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, leading to the suspension of the facility's food service license.

The Chicago Department of Public Health cited multiple violations during a Friday inspection, including roaches found in food preparation areas near the grill, deep fryers, and dry storage. The health department's report also described slime dripping onto ice cubes intended for consumption.

Additional issues noted by inspectors included grease buildup on cooking equipment, leaking sinks and pipes, damaged flooring, improperly stored utensils, and the use of milk crates for shelving. A torn door gasket on a food preparation cooler further raised concerns about the facility's cleanliness.

This inspection followed a previous visit in April, where dead cockroaches were found, indicating that pest-related issues had persisted and remained unresolved.

Following the inspection, hospital officials ordered the facility to clean and sanitize affected surfaces and engage a pest control company to address the infestation. In a statement, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center acknowledged the importance of food safety standards and stated they were taking necessary steps to rectify the findings and meet requirements for resuming kitchen operations.

The hospital assured patients that meal services would not be interrupted, with alternative food preparation and service arrangements in place. The exact timeline for when the cafeteria will reopen remains unclear, as the facility must undergo and pass a follow-up inspection after correcting the violations. The Chicago Department of Public Health has confirmed the license suspension.