FAIL
Risk 1 (High)
AL SAFA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant
March 24, 2025
Complaint
License #2951548
13
Total Violations
1
Critical
4
Major
8
Minor
1
Corrected On Site
Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector
13
Violation #23
CRITICAL
Violation Details
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATLY 20 LBS OF THE ASSORTED PREPARED TCS NOT DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. NO DATES OF ANY KIND. PREPARED HUMMUS, PREPARED SAUCES, COOKED LAMB, COOKED CHICKEN. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
Why This Matters
Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.
Food Code Requirement
Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.
Specific Requirements
Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.
CDPH Food Code: Section 3-403.11
Violation #37
MAJOR
Violation Details
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL PRE-PACKAGED PREPARED FOODS, SUCH AS OLIVES AND DESSERTS, INSIDE GRAB AND GO COOLER AND COUNTERTOP MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS, LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND ALLERGY WARNING IF NEEDED.
Why This Matters
Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.
Food Code Requirement
All food properly labeled with required information.
Specific Requirements
Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.
CDPH Food Code: Section 3-202.18
Violation #40
MINOR
Violation Details
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS.
Why This Matters
Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.
Food Code Requirement
Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.
Specific Requirements
Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.
CDPH Food Code: Section 2-303.11
Violation #41
MAJOR
Violation Details
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
Why This Matters
Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.
Food Code Requirement
Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.
Specific Requirements
Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.
CDPH Food Code: Section 3-304.14
Violation #43
MINOR
Violation Details
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MUST USE FOOD SCOOPS WITH HANDLES INVERTED INSIDE FOODS.
Why This Matters
Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.
Food Code Requirement
In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.
Specific Requirements
Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.
CDPH Food Code: Section 3-304.12
Violation #44
MINOR
Violation Details
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: NOTED SOILED LINENS IMPROPERLY STORED. MUST PROPERLY STORED IN A SEALED CONTAINER.
Why This Matters
Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.
Food Code Requirement
Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.
Specific Requirements
Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.
CDPH Food Code: Section 6-501.114
Violation #45
MINOR
Violation Details
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL CLEAN STORED POTS/PANS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.
Why This Matters
Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.
Food Code Requirement
Single-use items must be protected from contamination.
Specific Requirements
Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.
CDPH Food Code: Section 4-903.11
Violation #47
MINOR
Violation Details
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE RAW WOODEN BLOCKS AS LIFTS FOR KABOBS INSIDE COOLERS OR ON FOOD CARTS. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE MATERIAL.----MUST NOT USE TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR INSIDE THE FRONT SMALL COOLER.
Why This Matters
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
Food Code Requirement
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Specific Requirements
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
CDPH Food Code: Section 4-101.11
Violation #49
MINOR
Violation Details
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT,STEAM TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS WITH DIRT,GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----COOKS LINE CUTTING BOEAD BADLY STAINED AND IN POOR CONDITION. MUST REPLACE OR RESURFACE.
Why This Matters
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
Food Code Requirement
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Specific Requirements
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
CDPH Food Code: Section 4-601.11, 4-602.13
Violation #54
MAJOR
Violation Details
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OUTSIDE WASTE RECEPTACLE WITH OVERFLOWING GARBAGE AND FOOD WASTE. GARBAGE ON THE GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE CONTAINERS INCLUDING A USED GREASE RECEPTACLE ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE. RECEPTACLE LID UNABLE TO CLOSE TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL OVERFLOWING GARBAGE, REMOVE GARBAGE FROM THE GROUND AND PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING LID. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED.
Why This Matters
Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.
Food Code Requirement
Refuse must be properly contained and removed.
Specific Requirements
Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.
CDPH Food Code: Section 5-501.111
Violation #55
MINOR
Violation Details
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED DIRTY FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY, DIRTY WALLS AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----OPEN HOLE TO PIPING INSIDE THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST SEAL.
Why This Matters
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Food Code Requirement
Building must be maintained in good condition.
Specific Requirements
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
CDPH Food Code: Section 6-501.11
Violation #55
MINOR
Violation Details
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE THE MOP SINK. MUST STORE INVERTED.
Why This Matters
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Food Code Requirement
Building must be maintained in good condition.
Specific Requirements
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
CDPH Food Code: Section 6-501.11
Violation #55
MINOR
Violation Details
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE THE MOP SINK. MUST STORE INVERTED.
Why This Matters
Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.
Food Code Requirement
Building must be maintained in good condition.
Specific Requirements
No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.
CDPH Food Code: Section 6-501.11
Health Department Information
Department
Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division
Food Protection Program
Report Issues
Call 311 or File Online
More Information
CDPH Food Protection