Mr. Falafel

Chicago Health Dept

6404 N CALIFORNIA AVE · WEST RIDGE, CHICAGO

Last inspected 2022.

9 inspections on record since 2014 · Last inspected Apr 2022.

Last inspected Apr 2022. Records may not reflect current conditions.

The numbers

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

APR 2022

Inspection history

APR 7

2022

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 7 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER FOOD TEMPERATURES IN THE COOK LINE COOLER. HUMMUS @ 53.4F, BABA GHANNOUJ (COOKED EGGPLANT PUREE) @52.3F, CUT TOMATOES @ 51.8F. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

OBSERVED TWO COOLERS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE. COOKS LINE COOLER AT 53.6F AND TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT 55.9F. BOTH WITH TCS FOODS SUCH AS HUMMUS AT 53.4F. BOTH COOLERS ARE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR AND BEARD RESTRAINTS.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

Minor Sanitation

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

KNIFE IMPROPERLY STORED BETWEEN THE COOK'S LINE COOLER AND PREP TABLE. MUST BE PROPERLY STORED.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INTERIOR OF THE FRONT BOX FREEZER WITH FOOD SPILLAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ALL RAW WOODEN WALLS THROUGHOUT THE COOLER STORAGE AREA AND FRONT COUNTER MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.

OCT 10

2019

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 3 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO VOMIT SPILL KIT.(DISPOSABLE GLOVES, FACE MASKS, SOLUTION EFFECTIVE FOR NOROVIRUS, ETC.)PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. MUST PROVIDE.7-38-005.

Minor Employee Hygiene

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. MUST PROVIDE.

Serious Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

FOUND HOOD FILTERS NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.

NOV 1

2018

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 8 violations 3 CRITICAL

Critical Documentation & Training

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

OBSERVED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE EXPIRED. MUST HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012

Critical Documentation & Training

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

FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Critical Other

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED NO DATE MARKING SYSTEM IN PLACE. READY TO EAT AND OR TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED FOODS PREPARED AND HELD IN A RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT FOR OVER 24 HOURS MUST HAVE A CLEARLY MARKED LABELING SYSTEM IN PLACE TO INDICATE THE DATE OR DAY BY WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE CONSUMED ON PREMISES, SOLD, OR DISCARDED WHEN HELD AT A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR LESS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS WITH THE DATE OF PREPARTION COUNTING AS DAY 1. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NO CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005

Minor Other

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

OBSERVED INACCURATE THERMOMETER WITHIN REFRIGERATOR READING 55F. REPLACE WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

BACK FLOW DEVICE NEEDS TO BE EASILY LOCATABLE ON MOP SINK. INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Other

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE FOOD NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.

Minor Other

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS NEED TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN TRAINING.

OCT 26

2017

PASS 2 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

LABEL FOOD STORED INSIDE THE COOLERS HELD FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS WITH DATE OF PREPARATION

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

DEBRIS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES:ALONG BASEBOARD WALLS,BEHIND AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SHELVES,ALSO DEBRIS ON CORNERS AND INSIDE THE REAR STORAGE AND WASHROOMS,NEED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

FEB 8

2017

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 4 violations 2 CRITICAL

Critical Employee Hygiene

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

OBSERVED CERTIFIED MANAGER MAKING A SANDWICHES (READY -TO -EAT FOOD) FOR CUSTOMER WITH BARE HAND. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WEAR FOOD GLOVES: NO BARE CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOOD. MANAGER GLOVED HANDS AND CONTINUE TO MAKE SANDWICHES. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-010(A)

Critical Food Temperature

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME

NO SANITIZING SOLUTION USED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WHILE EMPLOYEE WASHING RINSING AND STORING MULTI USE UTENSILS FROM DISHES TO FOOD CONTAINERS. OBSERVED A PLASTIC CONTAINER WITH SOAP AND WATER STORED INSIDE ONE OF COMPARTMENT AND UTENSILS WAS WASHED AND RINSED UNDER RUNNING WATER.INSTRUCTED THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE SET UP:WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

ADDITIONAL STOPPERS IS NEEDED FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Minor Food Temperature

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

NO STEM THERMOMETER PROVIDE ON SITE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAID THERMOMETER TO BE ABLE TO CHECK FOOD TEMPERATURE.

show all 9 inspections →

JUN 30

2016

PASS 8 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

OBSERVED RUST ON RACK INSIDE THE 1-DOOR COOLER ON THE WEST WALL IN THE PREP AREA. ALSO, DEFROST DEEP FREEZER IN PREP AREA, ICE ACCUMULATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILES BY FRONT DOOR. ALSO, FLOOR AROUND HOT WATER TANK IS NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

OBSERVED WALLS IN HALLWAY LEADING TO TOILET ROOMS NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Facility Condition

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT IN THE CUSTOMER SEATING AREA, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL WORKING LIGHT AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

LINEN: CLEAN AND SOILED PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED SOILED LINENS BEING STORED IMPROPERLY IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZER WATER WHEN NOT IN USE AND MAINTAIN.

Critical Pest Activity

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS; IN THE STAFF TOILET ROOM AND AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE AND TO DISCARD ITEMS AROUND THE EXIT DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Employee Hygiene

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

OBSERVED STAFF NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE COOKING AND PREPPING FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES WHEN COOKING AND PREPPING FOOD AND MAINTAIN.

AUG 14

2015

PASS 6 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

Found items not properly dated in coolers, and in reach in freezer, must properly date food items in coolers, and in reach in freezer.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

Cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced. Cutting boards that had deep cuts in prep area, shall be repaired/replaced.

Minor Sanitation

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices), rear storage shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning.

Minor Sanitation

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners), floors in rear storage room under shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).

Minor Pest Activity

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED

Stock items must be stored six inches off of floor to prevent pest harborage.

Minor Other

FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

Must provide food handlers list for next routine inspection.

OCT 1

2014

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 2 violations 1 CRITICAL

Critical Food Temperature

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD INSIDE REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. 70POUNDS RAW MARINATED CHICKEN AT 53.4F AND 49.8F ALSO, 20POUNDS RAW MARINATED BEEF AT 51.0F. CRITICAL VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.90 POUNDS FOOD DISPOSED MONETARY VALUE AT 200 DOLLARS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO COOL FOOD TO 40F OR LESS BEFORE PLACING INSIDE COOLER.

Minor Sanitation

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

FOUND FOOD CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY. MUST STORE INVERTED.

MAR 6

2014

PASS 2 violations

Minor Plumbing & Waste

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

FOUND NO VACUUM BREAKER AT MOP SINK. (RESTROOM)

Minor Other

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

FOUND NO STEM THERMOMETERS AT BUSINESS.

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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