BABA PITA.
1032 W LAKE ST · WEST LOOP, CHICAGO
6 of 9 inspections passed, 3 failed. 10 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
AUG 192014PASSED10 violationsDETAILS
MUST LABEL ALL BULK FOOD ITEM CONTAINERS. (SUGAR,SALT,ETC)
REFINISH EXTERIOR OF LARGE MIXER IN PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR LEAK AT CONDENSER IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE LOCK FOR THE ICE STORAGE FREEZER OUTSIDE REAR EXIT DOOR.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL CUTTING BOARDS,PREP TABLES,SINKS,COOLERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS.
DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AREAS,UNDER SHELVES,IN WALK IN COOLERS,ALONG WALLS, IN CORNERS, UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOORS IN BASEMENT AND REMOVE SEDIMENT FROM PREVIOUS FLOOD.
MUST SEAL ALL HOLES IN WALLS AND CEILINGS THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS. (ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK) MUST REMOVE FOAM FROM WALLS AND CEILINGS IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. WALLS IN MENS BASEMENT WASHROOM NOT SMOOTH. MUST REPAIR AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
DETAIL CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS AT THE ABOVE PREP AREA.
MUST INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES AT THE BASMENT WASHROOM DOORS.
MUST REMOVE HEAVY BRICKS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE MOP SINK. MUST BE ABLE TO INSPECT PLUMBING AND SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE. MUST HAVE HOT AND COLD WATER AT THE MOP SINK. WATER MUST ALSO DRAIN PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR BROKEN FAUCET HANDLE AT MOP SINK.
MUST PROVIDE MORE ADEQUATE RAISED SHELVING IN THE WALK IN COOLERS. KEEP FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR.
AUG 62014FAILED15 violations5 CRITICALDETAILS
REFRIGERATED FOOD STORAGE FACILITIES AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED PREP COOLER AT 52 DEGREES F. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 30LBS OF COOKED RICE,HUMMUS,COOKED BAY LEAVES AND RICE,TABBOULEH AND BABA GHANNOUJ AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 50.4-63 DEGREES F. MUST MAINTAIN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS COLD FOODS AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A
NO HOT RUNNING WATER AVAILABLE ON SITE. PILOT LIGHT NOT LIT ON WATER HEATER. MUST MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND PROVIDE HOT RUNNING WATER AT ALL SINKS. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030. PILOT LIGHT RE-LIT DURING INSPECTION AND HOT WATER RESTORED. MUST MAINTAIN HOT RUNNING WATER AND HAVE IT AVAILABLE AT ALL SINKS.
NOTED EVIDENCE OF RODENTS ON SITE AND OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 25 MICE DROPPINGS IN REAR PREP AREA UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER THE UNUSED REACH IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE AREAS. ALSO NOTED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 INCH GAPS ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST REPAIR AND MAKE DOOR COMPLETELY INSECT AND RODENT PROOF. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020
OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED. NOTED GARBAGE OVERFLOWING FROM DUMPSTER AND BEING STORED ON TOP OF LIDS. EXTERIOR OF WASTE GREASE CONTAINER NOT CLEAN. MUST REMOVE EXCESS GARBAGE, CLOSE LIDS AND MAINTAIN AREA AND CONTAINERS. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020.
CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT # 1375934 ON 12/09/2013 NOT CORRECTED. (30)LABEL AND DATE COOKED FOOD ITEMS IN WALK-IN COOLERS. (35)COVERS NEEDED FOR FANS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER; PROVIDE. REMOVE DUST FROM VENTILATION FAN IN WASHROOM AND SEAL HOLE IN CEILING OF WASHROOM NEXT TO VENTILATION FAN. (41)BASEMENT STORAGE AREA VERY CLUTTERED WITH UNNECESSARY ITEMS; REMOVE TO AVOID CLUTTER. MUST CORRECT ALL VIOLATIONS BY THE DATES SPECIFIED ON THE REPORT. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-42-090.
MUST LABEL ALL BULK FOOD ITEM CONTAINERS. (SUGAR,SALT,ETC)
REFINISH EXTERIOR OF LARGE MIXER IN PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR LEAK AT CONDENSER IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE LOCK FOR THE ICE STORAGE FREEZER OUTSIDE REAR EXIT DOOR.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL CUTTING BOARDS,PREP TABLES,SINKS,COOLERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS.
DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AREAS,UNDER SHELVES,IN WALK IN COOLERS,ALONG WALLS, IN CORNERS, UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND THROUGHOUT BASEMENT.
MUST SEAL ALL HOLES IN WALLS AND CEILINGS THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS. (ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK) MUST REMOVE FOAM FROM WALLS AND CEILINGS IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. WALLS IN MENS BASEMENT WASHROOM NOT SMOOTH. MUST REPAIR AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
DETAIL CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS AT THE ABOVE PREP AREA.
MUST INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICES AT THE BASMENT WASHROOM DOORS.
MUST REMOVE HEAVY BRICKS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE MOP SINK. MUST BE ABLE TO INSPECT PLUMBING AND SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE. MUST HAVE HOT AND COLD WATER AT THE MOP SINK. WATER MUST ALSO DRAIN PROPERLY. MUST REPAIR BROKEN FAUCET HANDLE AT MOP SINK.
MUST PROVIDE MORE ADEQUATE RAISED SHELVING IN THE WALK IN COOLERS. KEEP FOOD ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR.
DEC 92013PASSED7 violationsDETAILS
LABEL AND DATE COOKED FOOD ITEMS IN WALK-IN COOLERS.
CLEAN SHELVES INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER, CLEAN INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS IN KITCHEN. CLEAN PLASTIC STORAGE CONTAINERS OBSERVED INSIDE OF WALK-IN COOLER, CLEAN PREP TABLES AND CUTTING BOARDS.
CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR BOTTOM OF DEEP FRYER TO REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD PARTICLES OBSERVED, UNDERNEATH GRILL, EXTERIOR OF GRILL ETC.
FLOORS NEED DETAIL CLEANING UNDER, AROUND AND BEHIND ALL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, DINING AREA BEING REMODELED AND BASEMENT AREA. ALSO CLEAN INSIDE OF WALK-IN UNITS.
CLEAN WALLS IN KITCHEN AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. ONCE WALLS IN DINING AREA ARE DONE, PROVIDE WALL COVING AT BOTTOM AREA WALLBASE OF WALLS. REPAIR HOLES IN CEILING OF BASEMENT WHERE OBSERVED. SEAL CEILING OF WALK-IN UNIT WHERE OPEN SEAMS OBSERVED. COVERS NEEDED FOR FANS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER; PROVIDE. REMOVE DUST FROM VENTILATION FAN IN WASHROOM AND SEAL HOLE IN CEILING OF WASHROOM NEXT TO VENTILATION FAN.
INCREASE HOT WATER PRESSURE AT WASHROOM SINK.
AREA BEING CONSTRUCTED NEEDS ORGANIZING ONCE CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE. BASEMENT STORAGE AREA VERY CLUTTERED WITH UNNECESSARY ITEMS; REMOVE TO AVOID CLUTTER. INSTRUCTED TO DISPOSE OF WASTE WATER IN MOP BUCKET OBSERVED IN KITCHEN ONCE USED AND TO REMOVE MOP FROM FLOOR.
APR 252013PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
MUST PROPERLY LABEL PRECOOKED AND PREPARED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLER WITH THE NAME, DATE AND TIME.
FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG BASE AND AT CORNERS TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS IN FRONT STORAGE AREA AND IN PREP AREA BEHIND EQUIPMENT.
NOTED BAGS OF BEANS ON THE FLOOR. MUST PROPERLY STORE FOOD ITEMS ON APPROVE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALL.
DEC 122012PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
MUST DEFROST BOTH ICE BOX FREEZERS ON PREMISES LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND IN THE REAR PREP AREA.
MUST SEAL OPENING WHERE FLOOR MEETS WALLBASE UNDER THE 3COMP SINK IN THE KITCHEN SO AS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE DIRT AND DEBRIS FROM ALL CORNERS IN THE BASEMENT. ALSO MAINTAIN FLOORS DRY IN THE SAME AREA NEXT TO THE WATER HEATER.
MUST REPAIR PEELING PAINT AT CEILING ABOVE REAR PREP AREA.
MUST PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF BULBS OR LIGHTSHIELDS AT LIGHT FIXTURE IN FRONT OF THE STORAGE AREA IN THE FRONT BY THE ICE BOX FREEZER.
show all 9 inspections →
OCT 52011PASSED1 violationDETAILS
THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SOUTH DRAIN PIPES IS DIRTY AND HAS A SMALL LEAK, CLEAN AND REPAIR THE PIPE LEAK.
SEP 262011FAILED6 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. Over 10 rat droppings were found around and under shelving and baseboards throughout the basement perimeter. Remove all evidence of pest activity and clean up all areas of possible harborage.
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. THE BROKEN LARGE WALK IN COOLER (INSTALLED SINCE LAST INSPECTION) HAS A STRONG CHEMICAL ODOR AND BUBBLED OUT EXPANDING FOAM SEALER IN THE JOINTS, REMOVE AND SEAL OVER THE JOINTS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH, SANITARY. THE SMALL WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER HAS A WATER LEAK FORM THE COILS, REPAIR THE COOLER AND FREEZER.
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. THE FLOORS ARE DIRTY THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. THE FLOORS ARE ROUGH AND HAVE HOLES IN THE KITCHEN AROUND THE EXPOSED HANDSINK AND CONVECTION OVEN AREA. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS AND BASEBOARDS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH AND SANITARY FROM CORNER TO CORNER.
The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. THE CEILING TILES ARE DAMAGED AND MISSING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREA, REPLACE SOILED AND MISSING CEILING TILES UNTIL THE CEILINGS ARE SMOOTH AND SANITARY.
All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. THE SPACE IN FRONT OF THE LARGE WALK IN COOLER IS DARK AND HAS NO WORKING LIGHTING, REPAIR THE LIGHTING.
THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SOUTH DRAIN PIPES IS DIRTY AND HAS A SMALL LEAK, CLEAN AND REPAIR THE PIPE LEAK.
OCT 82010FAILED11 violations4 CRITICALDETAILS
All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. Food handlers were observed handling food without washing there hands after cleaning surfaces at the time of this inspection.
Adequate and convenient toilet facilities shall be provided. They should be properly designed, maintained, and accessible to employees at all times. The kitchen exposed handsink has been removed and the sink in the cluttered rear hallway is not acccessible to the food preparation area. Must install an exposed handsink in the food preparation area.
All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments. 6 rat droppings were found in the basement, several live ants were found in the baseboards under the kitchen grill prep area and both front doors, rear door and rear screen doors are not pest proof. Clean up all evidence of pest activity and pest proof all outer openings.
The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. An old mattress and clutter were found in the locked and gated outdoor basement stairwell and around the dumpster/grease area. Remove all garbage and clutter from the restaurant perimeter.
When toilet and lavatory facilities are provided for the patrons of food establishments, such facilities shall be adequate in number, convenient, accessible, properly designed, and installed according to the municipal code. Both toilets have broken flush handles and the basement toilet leaks, repair the toilets so they are fully functional, not leaking and meet code requirements.
A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. The previous minor violations not corrected were originally documented on 7/22/09, report # 161320 and include: (33) Cleaning of cooler interiors. (34) Dirty kitchen floors. (35) Moldy panels above the basement bathroom. (36) Unshielded bulbs above the prep area. (37) A living space in the basement of the restaurant across from the hot water heater with food and refuse in it must be removed.
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. Clean the grease covered ventilation hood, shelving and equipment.
The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Clean and maintain the kitchen walls and ceilings so they are smooth and sanitary from top to bottom. Remove peeling paint from the kitchen ceiling.
All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. The kitchen is dark and requires additional lighting so cooks and cleaners can see.
The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. No ventilation exists for the double deck conveyor pizza oven, install ventilation to city code. Referral made to Dept of Buildings/Ventilation.
All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. Remove all unnecessary equipment from the restaurant and basement.
Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →