FALAFEL JOINT INC.

Chicago Health Dept

6814 W NORTH AVE · ELMWOOD PARK, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Jun 2026), 3 critical violations noted.

7 inspections on record since 2021 · Last inspected Jun 2026 · 3 critical violations in the last 12 months.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
7
VIOLATIONS
44
total on record
LAST INSPECTED
JUN 2026

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 26
2026
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 15 violations 3 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE.HAND SINK BEING USED TO STORE DIRTY BAKING SHEET PAN AND MULTI-USE UTENSILS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER REMOVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C), CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINK AT THE FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS AND INSIDE THE WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), VIOLATION CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE CITATION.

Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK AT THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Food Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2-DOOR PREP LINE-COOLER.OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 48.2F,BEEF AT 47.9F,CUT TOMATOES AT 50.1F AND BABAGANOUSH AT 49.8F.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10#'S OF FOOD WORTH $120.00.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED THE KITCHEN 2-DOOR PREP LINE COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 55.5F-60.0F.THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE (TCS FOODS) HUMMUS,CUT TOMATOES, CHICKEN AND BEEF ETC.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID COOLER AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED REFRIGERATION REPAIR SERVICE.THE SAID COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED.(SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

FOUND FROZEN BEEF THAWING ON A PREP TABLE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT (TCS FOODS) MUST BE THAWED ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE, SUCH AS UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS 41F OR COLDER OR UNDER RUNNING WATER (70F OR COLDER).

Minor Food Temperature
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE KITCHEN PREP LINE 2-DOOR COOLER CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS.

Minor Employee Hygiene
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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

OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP TABLE.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN: PREP TABLES (TOPS AND BOTTOMS), KITCHEN STORAGE RACKS, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF DEEP FRYERS AND OTHER COOKING EQUIPMENTS, UNDER GRILLS AND SHELVES INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN PREPS/DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, BEHIND-UNDER-AROUND PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD SYSTEM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF EXCESSIVE HANGING GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

Minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

JAN 29
2025
PASS 1 violation
Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.

OCT 15
2024
PASS 2 violations
Minor Sanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED GREASE ON VENTILATION HOOD IN PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

JUN 30
2023
PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations
Serious Food Temperature
PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED CHICKEN AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 90F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 135F OR ABOVE. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS AT A COST OF $25.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Food Temperature
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED NUMEROUS TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER. FOODS SUCH AS RAW CHICKEN, BABAGANOUSH, HUMMUS AND RAW BEEF WERE FOUND AT TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 44-46F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED BY MANAGER. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS AT A COST OF $150.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. SEE ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Minor Food Temperature
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER AT 50F. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE SPILLS ON FLOORS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

OCT 26
2022
PASS 5 violations
Minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

FOUND FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE ON THE CLEAN DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GAPS AND CRACKS IN THE DAMAGED DRY WALL TO THE LEFT BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. MUST SEAL/REPAIR ALL GAPS AND CRACKS SO WALL IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND HEAVY DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE FLOORS NEAR THE BOILER, UNDERNEATH THE 2-DOOR PREP TABLE, AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD LOCATED OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT. FOUND HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE CEILING VENT ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

show all 7 inspections →
OCT 19
2022
FAIL 8 violations 1 CRITICAL
Minor Food Temperature
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

FOUND FROZEN LAMB THAWING ON A PREP TABLE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TCS FOODS MUST BE THAWED ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE, SUCH AS UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS 41F OR BELOW OR UNDER RUNNING WATER (70F OR BELOW).

Minor Sanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

FOUND A THICK LAYER OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE ON THE TABLE UNDERNEATH THE GRILL, ON THE SIDES OF THE SPINNING GRILLERS, INSIDE THE FRYER, AND ON THE CLEAN DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.

Serious Employee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

FOUND THE FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK SLOW DRAINING. MUST REPAIR.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FOUND HEAVY DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE FLOORS NEAR THE BOILER, UNDERNEATH THE 2-DOOR PREP TABLE, AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GAPS AND CRACKS IN THE DAMAGED DRY WALL TO THE LEFT BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. MUST SEAL/REPAIR ALL GAPS AND CRACKS SO WALL IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD LOCATED OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT. FOUND HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE CEILING VENT ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Documentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

FOUND NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

Critical Pest Activity
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

FOUND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 10/14/21 REPORT #2534731 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #55 (6-501.12) OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION #55 (6-201.11) OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION #55 (6-501.114) OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

OCT 14
2021
PASS 9 violations 2 CRITICAL
Critical Employee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition
THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

MUST PROVIDE VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER.

Minor Food Storage & Handling
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

Minor Sanitation
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

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

OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.

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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