Al Safa

Chicago Health Dept

3146 W TOUHY AVE · WEST RIDGE, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Aug 2025).

5 inspections on record since 2024 · Last inspected Aug 2025.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

AUG 2025

Inspection history

AUG 13

2025

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS (DELI MEAT) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE PRODUCT'S NAME AND DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISCARD DATE FOR REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24HRS PLACED IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN CONTAINERS IN ALL THE COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND DRY STORAGE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED RAW MEAT STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN UPRIGHT FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

Minor Food Storage & Handling

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IN 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR UNCOVERED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDED FOOD GRADE LIDS AND/OR COVERINGS WHEN STORING ALL FOOD ITEMS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

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

OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR PREP AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

OBSERVED HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA TO BE SLOW-DRAINING. PERSON IN CHARGE WAS ADVISED TO UNCLOG SINK AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ISSUE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED THE TOILET ROOM IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Serious Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON FLOORS AROUND COOKING EQUIPMENT, WALLS, IN ALL CORNERS AND SHELVING UNITS IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEGREASE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

APR 1

2025

PASS 1 violation 1 CRITICAL

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

NEWLY INSTALLED MESH SCREEN DOOR AT THE REAR EXIT MUST BE RODENT/INSECT PROOFED ON ALL SIDES. NOTED LARGE OPEN GAPS ON ALL SIDES AND BOTTOM THRESHOLD.

MAR 24

2025

FAIL 13 violations

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

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.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

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.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

MUST PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

MUST USE FOOD SCOOPS WITH HANDLES INVERTED INSIDE FOODS.

Minor Sanitation

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

NOTED SOILED LINENS IMPROPERLY STORED. MUST PROPERLY STORED IN A SEALED CONTAINER.

Minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

ALL CLEAN STORED POTS/PANS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.

Minor Sanitation

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

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.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

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.

Minor Other

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

SOILED MOP HEADS IMPROPERLY STORED INSIDE THE MOP SINK. MUST STORE INVERTED.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2604123 FROM 10-4-24 NOT CORRECTED. #40- OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.#49- OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON PREP AREA SHELVES. MUST CLEAN ALL PREP AREA SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.#57- OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

OCT 4

2024

PASS 4 violations

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON PREP AREA SHELVES. MUST CLEAN ALL PREP AREA SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED LIGHT BULBS (X2) NOT WORKING ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING CEILING LIGHT BULBS.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE.

FEB 6

2024

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 13 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

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

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010

Critical Employee Hygiene

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK INSIDE CUSTOMER WASHROOM.

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL PREP AND REACH-IN COOLERS.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED CLEAN, REPAINT OR REPLACE RUSTY METAL RACKS INSIDE 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN PREP/COOKING AREA.

Minor Sanitation

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

INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD WITH DEEP SEAMS AND STAIN ON TOP OF PREP COOLER IN PREP/COOKING AREA.

Minor Other

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WORKING DRAIN STOPPERS AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL REACH-IN COOLERS, FREEZERS AND PREP COOLERS WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ACCUMULATION.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

REAR EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

Minor Sanitation

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

EMPLOYEE AND CUSTOMERS TOILET RECEPTACLE MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LID/COVER.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA ESPECIALLY IN CORNERS BEHIND HOT WATER TANK AND FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND COOLERS WITH DRIED FOOD SPILLAGE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN CEILING VENT COVER WITH DUST ACCUMULATION ABOVE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER

Minor Facility Condition

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

LIGHTBULB MUST BE SHIELDED AT KITCHEN HOOD (FAR LEFT) ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

Public inspection records from Chicago Department of Public Health. Records current as of 2026-09-06. EatOrBeat reports records and does not rate restaurants. Source dataset →

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