AFRICAN FOOD PALACE.

Chicago Health Dept

8918 S COMMERCIAL AVE · SOUTH CHICAGO, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Jun 2025), 1 critical violation noted.

7 inspections on record since 2021 · Last inspected Jun 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUN 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 23

2025

PASS 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED VARIOUS REACH IN COOLERS WITH NO THERMOMETERS INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS ON COUNTER AND NO SANITIZING BUCKETS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION

Critical Pest Activity

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

ALL UTENSILS STORED IN TUBS ON SHELF IN NEED OF WASHING AND SANITIZING DUE TO RODENT CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UTENSILS. WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

ALL PREP TABLES AND COUNTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ALL UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN BASEMENT AND IN DINING AREA IN NEED OF REMOVAL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN

JUN 12

2025

FAIL 8 violations 4 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

NO ONE ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOOD ITEMS. COOKED RIC, COOKED STEW ETC

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

NO ONE ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOOD ITEMS. COOKED RIC, COOKED STEW ETC... INSTRUCTED MANAGER ON DUTY TO OBTAIN CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED VARIOUS REACH IN COOLERS WITH NO THERMOMETERS INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED MICE ACTIVITY AT FRONT PREP AREA WHERE UTENSIL ARE BEING STORED AND IN BASEMENT ALONG WALL BASE AND ON UTENSILS. APPROX 30-40 DROPPINGS NOTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN AN UPDATED PEST RECEIPT, CLEAN AND SANITIZE PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS ON COUNTER AND NO SANITIZING BUCKETS. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION

Critical Pest Activity

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

ALL UTENSILS STORED IN TUBS ON SHELF IN NEED OF WASHING AND SANITIZING DUE TO RODENT CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UTENSILS. WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

ALL PREP TABLES AND COUNTERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ALL UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN BASEMENT AND IN DINING AREA IN NEED OF REMOVAL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN

AUG 1

2024

PASS 2 violations

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT STORED IN UNUSED ICE MACHINE AND COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

JAN 5

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 6 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TCS FOOD (STEW 154.5F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON RIGHT SIDE OF FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR, AND BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF BASEMENT EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

Minor Pest Activity

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DEBRIS AND CLUTTET STORED INSIDE UNUSED COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS FROM UNUSED EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBOARGE

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

JAN 30

2023

PASS 11 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND SINK IN DINING AREA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector Comments: OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM AND SIDE OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN PREP TABLE AND DRAINBOARD AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

Inspector Comments: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ROLLING CARTS AND REAR STORAGE AREA,STORE HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION ON STAINLESS STEEL UTENSILS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector Comments: OBSERVED PITTED AND WORN CUTTING BOARDS IN PREP AND DRY STORAGE AREAS MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN WALLS IN DINING AREA,DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL TILES / BASES IN PREP AREA,TOILET ROOM AND DINING AREA.DAMAGED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES IN REAR STORAGE AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE MASSIVE ARTICLES IN BASEMENT AND REAR HALLWAY.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN BASEMENT ,PREP AREA,DRY FOOD STORAGE AREAS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Violation Codes: 6-304.11 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

show all 7 inspections →

JAN 23

2023

FAIL 15 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND SINK IN DINING AREA MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM AND SIDE OF REAR DOOR MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN PREP TABLE AND DRAINBOARD AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

Minor Sanitation

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON ROLLING CARTS AND REAR STORAGE AREA,STORE HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION ON STAINLESS STEEL UTENSILS.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED PITTED AND WORN CUTTING BOARDS IN PREP AND DRY STORAGE AREAS MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN REACH IN FREEZER MUST ELIMINATE AND PROVIDE FOOD GRADE BAGS.

Serious Sanitation

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT TO CHECK SANITIZING SOLUTION PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM COUNTER UNDERNEATH MICROWAVE AND INTERIOR PARTS ON 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLE IN WALLS IN DINING AREA,DAMAGED AND MISSING WALL TILES / BASES IN PREP AREA,TOILET ROOM AND DINING AREA.DAMAGED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES IN REAR STORAGE AREA.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE MASSIVE ARTICLES IN BASEMENT AND REAR HALLWAY .

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES IN BASEMENT ,PREP AREA,DRY FOOD STORAGE AREAS.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION IN TOILET ROOM.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

JUL 26

2021

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVES AND SURFACES NEAR AND BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER SEAL OR PAINT TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE FAUCET AND HANDLES OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE TOLIET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILE IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED UNUSED ICE MACHINE, PREP COOLER AND CLUTTER IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS OFF SITE AND ORGANIZE CLUTTER.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON FILE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-07-05. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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