SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

ROYAL AFRICANA LOUNGE INC..

BEAT. 34/100

5973 N CLARK ST · EDGEWATER, CHICAGO

Last inspected May 19, 2025 · passed

Failed 3 of 5 inspections. 8 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
5
2 passed · 3 failed
VIOLATIONS
39
includes 8 critical
RECORDS COVER
1 YEAR
since Jan 2024

INSPECTION HISTORY

MAY 19
2025
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

MAY 7
2025
FAILED
9 violations1 CRITICAL
DETAILS
MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 RAT DROPPINGS IN THE MECHANICAL COMPONENT OF UNUSED KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND IN IN REAR STORAGE AREA. ALSO OBSERVED 4 LIVE ROACHES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND DRY STORAGE UNIT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.

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

MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT ALL FREEZERS AND COOLERS.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS, FOOD CONTACT SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN NOTED DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP, BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED: THROUGHOUT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA, REAR EXIT DOOR AREA AT CUSTOMER WASHROOM, REAR PREP/DISH ROOM.-----DIRTY, UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

MINOROther
PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2589090 DATED 02/05/2024 NOT CORRECTED. #47. NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE. #57. MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

FEB 5
2024
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

: 4-501.12--- NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12---- NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: 6-101.11--- CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE. 6-201.11---RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13---- MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

JAN 30
2024
FAILED
9 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALPest Activity
TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED

NOTED OPEN RODENT BAIT ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COOKS LINE STOVE. MUST REMOVE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

STILL OBSERVED 5 TO 10 RAT DROPPING BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT OF THE COOKS LINE AND OVEN, 2 BEHIND REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER, 5 BEHIND THE FRONT CASHIER STATION BOX FREEZER. ALSO LIVE RAT CAUGHT IN TRAP DURING THE REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

6-202.15--- FRONT EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD AND MISSING RODENT PROOF STRIP. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL AREAS OF THE DOOR.

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

4-501.12--- NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

: 4-601.11(B)--- INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-204.12---- NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-201.11---- NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.---- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST BE REPLACED.----ALL NOTED HOLES IN WALLS MUST BE SEALED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPEN NOTED HOLES.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: 6-101.11--- CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13---- MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

JAN 23
2024
FAILED
15 violations4 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALEmployee Hygiene
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

NOTED THE REAR PREP/DISH HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. SINK COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY A BOX FREEZER AND MANY STORED KITCHEN ITEMS ON THE FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND THE SINK. MUST MAKE SINK ACCESSIBLE AND REMOVE ALL STORED ITEMS UNDER AND AROUND THE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING RAT DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: APPROXIMATELY 50 DROPPINGS ALONG THE BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DINING ROOM LEATHER SOFA, 15 TO 20 DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA NEAR THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM, 10 TO 15 DROPPINGS BEHIND BOX FREEZER, COOLER AND COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT, 5 TO 10 DROPPINGS UNDER THE REAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

FRONT EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD AND MISSING RODENT PROOF STRIP. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL AREAS OF THE DOOR.

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

ALL POTS, PANS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT, BULK FOOD BUCKETS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

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

NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE.

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

MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT ALL FREEZERS AND COOLERS.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD AS LINER UNDER BULK FOOD BUCKETS AND UNDER KITCHEN BOX FREEZERS.----MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS, FOOD CONTACT SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN NOTED DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

MINORPlumbing & Waste
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE.

MINORPest Activity
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED: THROUGHOUT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA, REAR EXIT DOOR AREA AT CUSTOMER WASHROOM, REAR PREP/DISH ROOM.-----DIRTY, UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP, BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.---- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST BE REPLACED.----NOTED TWO HOLES IN THE WALL BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DINING ROOM LEATHER SOFA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPEN NOTED HOLES.

MINOROther
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

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 →

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