Baba's Famous Steaks & Lemondade
Chicago Health Dept
7500 S COTTAGE GROVE AVE · CHATHAM, CHICAGO
Passed most recent inspection (Aug 2026); 8 critical violations across the last 12 months.
9 inspections on record since 2023 · Last inspected Aug 2026 · 8 critical violations in the last 12 months.
The numbers
Inspection history
OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT VALID PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.
OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS WITHOUT AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE THE CERTIFIED MANAGER AND THEIR ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED ADULTERATED FOOD.NOTED BREAD STORED ON RACK CHEWED THROUGH. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD EMPLOYEE DISCARD BREAD 5LBS OF BREAD VALUED AT $25. THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-40-050(A) CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 15 SMALL MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR BETWEEN COOLER AND TRASH CAN AT SERVICE COUNTER. APPROX.15 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS IN OFFICE. APPROX. 10 RODENT DROPPINGS UNDER KITCHEN PREP TABLE AND 10 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS IN DISH ROOM UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED ALL OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS WITH LIDS NOT CLOSED DUE TO TRASH OVERFLOWING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN TO ENSURE TIGHT FITTING LIDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED
NOTED GREASE RECEPTACLE IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED FLOORS UNDERNEATH STORAGE RACK IN DISH ROOM NOT CLEAN. NOTED RED STICKY SPILLAGE. ALSO NOTED HOLE IN CEILING IN REAR AND ON EAST WALL IN DISH ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
PASS 10 violations 1 CRITICAL
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN A FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN UTILITY AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED AND STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
OBSERVED NO STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND RUSTY SURFACES ON SHELVING UNITS INSIDE REACH-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE LARGE EQUIPMENT OR INSTALL LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS, FREEZERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS, CABINETS, ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
: OBSERVED LOOSE AND MISSING BASEBOARDS, MISSING AND STAINED CEILING TILES IN LOBBY, FRONT COUNTER, PREP, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MAKE WALLS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
PASS 10 violations 1 CRITICAL
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN UTILITY AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED AND STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
OBSERVED NO STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND RUSTY SURFACES ON SHELVING UNITS INSIDE REACH-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE LARGE EQUIPMENT OR INSTALL LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS, FREEZERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS, CABINETS, ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED LOOSE AND MISSING BASEBOARDS, MISSING AND STAINED CEILING TILES IN LOBBY, FRONT COUNTER, PREP, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MAKE WALLS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN A FRONT HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED OVER 60 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS UNDER DRY STORAGE SHELVES AND ON UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. OBSERVED LIVE ROACH ACTIVITY AND NUMEROUS FLYING INSECTS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN UTILITY AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
OBSERVED 2 OZ CONTAINERS USED AS DISPENSING UTENSILS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LONG HANDLE DISPENSING UTENSILS WITH HANDLE STORED ABOVE FOOD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION
OBSERVED MUTLI-USE CONTAINERS STORED INSIDE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED AND STORED ON FLOOR IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
OBSERVED NO STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT AND RUSTY SURFACES ON SHELVING UNITS INSIDE REACH-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE LARGE EQUIPMENT OR INSTALL LARGER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLERS, FREEZERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SHELVING UNITS, CABINETS, ETC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT STORED IN PREP, STORAGE, AND GARAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
OBSERVED FOOD AND GREASE SPILLS ON WALLS AND FLOORS, ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED LOOSE AND MISSING BASEBOARDS, MISSING AND STAINED CEILING TILES IN LOBBY, FRONT COUNTER, PREP, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MAKE WALLS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED SOILED WATER IN MOP PAIL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE SOILED WATER AND STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
show all 9 inspections →
PASS 1 violation
INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
NO LABEL FOUND ON BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA; INSTRUCTED TO LABEL CONTAINERS WITH THE NAME OF THE PRODUCT INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED RODENT ACTIVITY ON PREMISES. FOUND 60 OR MORE MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR PREP AREA UNDER AND AROUND THE COOLER AND OTHER EQUIPMENT; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AREAS AND HAVE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE PRIOR TO REINSPECTION NEXT WEEK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
FOUND A DEAD MOUSE ON A GLUE BOARD IN THE OFFICE AREA BY THE FURNACE; INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
SOME FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING APPROPRIATE HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, INTERIORS OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FREEZERS, INTERIOR BOTTOM OF THE FRYERS, PREP TABLES, STEAMTABLE, ROLLING CART.
EMPLOYEE WASHROOM UNCLEAN; MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TOILET, FLOOR, SINK, WALLS AND FLOOR.
OBSERVED SEVERAL WATER STAINED CEILING TILE; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WHERE NEEDED.
INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS AND WALLS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT.
INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 12 violations 2 CRITICAL
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE THE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. FOOD HANDLER IN THE MAIN FOOD PREP AREA HAD ON TWO GLOVES ON ONE HAND HANDLED RAW CHICKEN AND TOOK OFF ONE GLOVE AND BEGAN TO PREPARE FOODS SUCH AS FRENCH FIRES. ALSO, OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA PUT ON GLOVES WITHOUT WASHING HANDS TO CUT GREEN BELL PEPPERS THAT ARE USED TO TOP SANDWICHES. INSTRUCTED TO WASH HANDS AND THEN PUT ON A NEW PAIR OF GLOVES BEFORE CHANGING TASK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF COOKED CHICKEN (53.2F), STEAK MEAT (52.1F), SLICED TOMATOES (46.8F), COOKED GROUND BEEF (45.8F), 12 BEEF POLISHES (45.0F), BEEF HOT DOGS (45.3F) ALL FOUND IN PREP COOLER IN MAIN FOOD PREP AREA, AND STRAWBERRY, CARAMEL, OREO, PLAIN, CHEESECAKE, CHOCOLATE, AND LEMON CAKE (45.0-48.8F) FOUND INSIDE STAND-ALONE REFRIGERATOR. MANAGER DISCARDED PRODUCT. APPROXIMATELY 350LBS. $850.00 MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED
OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF PREP COOLER AT 50.0F AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND A STAND UP REFRIGERATOR AT THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA AT 47.7F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS PLACED ON UNITS. ONCE REPAIRED, FAX OR EMAIL TO CDPH. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
3-307.11 OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE MOP SINK NEAR THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD AT THE SAID MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN.
4-101.11(B, C, D, E) OBSERVED THE COMMERCIAL CAN OPENER STORED IN THE DISHWASHING AREA WITH RUST BUILD UP ON THE CAN OPENER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST TO MAKE THE CAN OPENER SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
4-601.11(B) OBSERVED SLIGHT GREASE AND RUST BUILD UP ON THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND GREASE BUILD UP THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
4-602.13 OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON THE COMMERICAL FAN IN THE WALL OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP AND MAINTAIN.
6-501.12 OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREAS WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID FLOORS MORE FREQUENTLY AND MAINTAIN.
6-201.17 OBSERVED AN OPENING IN THE CEILING OF THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VENTILATION COVER ON THE SAID OPENING AND MAINTAIN.
6-501.114 OBSERVED THE REAR STORAGE ROOM AND THE REAR HALLWAY WITH UNNECCESARY ITEMS AND CLUTTER IN THE SAID AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID AREAS.
6-201.11 OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FURNACE/OFFICE AREA NOT FINISHED. INSTRUCTED TO FINISH THE FLOOR IN THE SAID AREA, TO MAKE THE FLOOR SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
PASS 8 violations
OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD AT THE MOP SINK NEAR THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD AT THE SAID MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE COMMERCIAL CAN OPENER STORED IN THE DISHWASHING AREA WITH RUST BUILD UP ON THE CAN OPENER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST TO MAKE THE CAN OPENER SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED SLIGHT GREASE AND RUST BUILD UP ON THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST AND GREASE BUILD UP THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON THE COMMERICAL FAN IN THE WALL OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED THE REAR STORAGE ROOM AND THE REAR HALLWAY WITH UNNECCESARY ITEMS AND CLUTTER IN THE SAID AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID AREAS.
OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FURNACE/OFFICE AREA NOT FINISHED. INSTRUCTED TO FINISH THE FLOOR IN THE SAID AREA, TO MAKE THE FLOOR SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED AN OPENING IN THE CEILING OF THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VENTILATION COVER ON THE SAID OPENING AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVE THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREAS WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID FLOORS MORE FREQUENTLY AND MAINTAIN.
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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