SAFARI SOMALI CUISINE.

Chicago Health Dept

6319 N RIDGE AVE · EDGEWATER, CHICAGO

Passed most recent inspection (Jun 2025), 1 critical violation noted.

6 inspections on record since 2022 · Last inspected Jun 2025.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS

VIOLATIONS

total on record

LAST INSPECTED

JUN 2025

INSPECTION HISTORY

JUN 3

2025

PASS 5 violations 1 CRITICAL

Minor Food Storage & Handling

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN CONTAINERS IN ALL THE COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND DRY STORAGE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Critical Pest Activity

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE TOP OF REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND REAR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Documentation & 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.

SEP 9

2024

PASS 2 violations

Minor Sanitation

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

: 4-501.11---- TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE COOKS LINE COOLER DOOR. MUST REPLACE.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

: 5-204.12---- NOTED HOSE ON SITE TO BE USED TO ATTACH TO THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

SEP 5

2024

FAIL 10 violations

Minor Sanitation

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

3-307.11---- MUST NOT STORE CLEAN UTENSILS HANGING ABOVE THE WASHBASIN OF THE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

3-304.14--- PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

Minor Employee Hygiene

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

4-803.11--- OBSERVED SOILED LINENS HANGING ON THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK AND ON THE PIPING UNDER THE HAND SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL SOILED LINEN 4-903.11 (A;B;D)--- ALL STORED CLEAN POTS/PANS THROUGHOUT THE REAR MUST BE STORED INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

: 4-903.11(A;C)--- ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO CLEAN AND MONITOR AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

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

: 4-501.11---- TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE COOKS LINE COOLER DOOR. MUST REPLACE. : 4-202.16---- WOODEN BATHROOM CABINET BROKEN, IN POOR REPAIR WITH BROKEN SHELVING AND DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13--- NOTED PEELING STICKY TACK PAPER AS LINER FOR WALLS AND SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE ALL. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL THE WALLS AND SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE, DISH WASH AREA AND REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. : 4-601.11(B)---- INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND FOOD SPLATTER.-----NOTED DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

: 5-204.12---- NOTED HOSE ON SITE TO BE USED TO ATTACH TO THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

: 6-201.11---- FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, MOP CLOSET, WASHROOM, REAR STORAGE ROOM WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----WALL AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH PEELING PLASTER AND PAINT. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.---- DIRTY WALL AT THE REAR HALLWAY HAND WASHING SINK WITH EXCESSIVE DRIPPING SOAP.----DIRTY WALL VENT COVER AT THE SAME SINK AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM. MUST REPLACE. 6-501.113--- NOTED SOILED MOP BEING IMPROPERLY STORED IN A BUCKET IN THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM. MUST PROPERLY STORE SOILED MOPS INVERTED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13--- NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #60 FROM 8-29-24 REPORT #2601904 NOT CORRECTED. 8-404.13(B:4)--- PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 2-27-23 REPORT #2571752 NOT CORRECTED. #37- ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENT'S' NAME.#55-: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

AUG 29

2024

FAIL 16 violations

Serious Food Storage & Handling

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED

OBSERVED RAW BEEF BEING STORED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF FRESH CABBAGE AND WITH OTHER ASSORTED FRESH VEGETABLES IN THE REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. FOODS REMOVED. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD PROTECTION DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Serious Chemical Safety

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

NOTED PREPARED TCS FOODS INSIDE VARIOUS COOLERS SUCH AS COOKED CRACKED WHEAT, MEAT SAUCE AND MARINARA SAUCE WITH NO DATE LABELS. NO LABELS OF ANY TYPE. REVIEWED ALL PREPARED FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Sanitation

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST NOT STORE CLEAN UTENSILS HANGING ABOVE THE WASHBASIN OF THE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

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

Minor Employee Hygiene

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

OBSERVED SOILED LINENS HANGING ON THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK AND ON THE PIPING UNDER THE HAND SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL SOILED LINEN.

Minor Sanitation

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

ALL STORED CLEAN POTS/PANS THROUGHOUT THE REAR MUST BE STORED INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Minor Sanitation

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO CLEAN AND MONITOR AT ALL TIMES.

Minor Sanitation

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

TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE COOKS LINE COOLER DOOR. MUST REPLACE.

Minor Sanitation

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

WOODEN BATHROOM CABINET BROKEN, IN POOR REPAIR WITH BROKEN SHELVING AND DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND FOOD SPLATTER.-----NOTED DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

NOTED PEELING STICKY TACK PAPER AS LINER FOR WALLS AND SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE ALL. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL THE WALLS AND SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE, DISH WASH AREA AND REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOTED HOSE ON SITE TO BE USED TO ATTACH TO THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

NOTED SOILED MOP BEING IMPROPERLY STORED IN A BUCKET IN THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM. MUST PROPERLY STORE SOILED MOPS INVERTED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.

Serious Employee Hygiene

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, MOP CLOSET, WASHROOM, REAR STORAGE ROOM WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----WALL AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH PEELING PLASTER AND PAINT. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.---- DIRTY WALL AT THE REAR HALLWAY HAND WASHING SINK WITH EXCESSIVE DRIPPING SOAP.----DIRTY WALL VENT COVER AT THE SAME SINK AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM. MUST REPLACE.

Minor Documentation & Training

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Minor Sanitation

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 2-27-23 REPORT #2571752 NOT CORRECTED. #37- ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS' NAME.#55-: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

FEB 27

2023

PASS W/ CONDITIONS 9 violations

Serious Food Temperature

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-NOODLES 49.8F, SLICED LETTUCE 50.9F, TOMATOE SAUCE 50.1F, CHICKEN 47.3F, POTATOE SOUP 47.8F, CABBAGE SOUP 47.5F/51.1F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 8 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $60.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005.

Minor Food Temperature

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. NOTED TEMPERATURE OF SERVICE COOLER AT THE PREP AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 53.4F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE EQUIPMENT UNTIL MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Minor Food Temperature

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

NOTED CHICKEN IN WATER INSIDE CONTAINER IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK THAWING. MANAGER STATED THAT THE SHRIMP WAS DEFROSTING. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF DEFROSTING FOOD:- EITHER UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. PRODUCT TEMPERATURE WAS ADEQUATE AT THE TIME.

Minor Food Temperature

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.

Minor Pest Activity

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

NOTED FOIL USED TO LINE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Minor Sanitation

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

show all 6 inspections →

JAN 21

2022

PASS 10 violations

Minor Chemical Safety

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

ALL BULK FOODS INCLUDING SPICES NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

Minor Sanitation

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN BOARD FOR DRYING CLEAN DISHES.

Minor Sanitation

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

MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES OR BRICKS AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

MUST NOT USE FOIL TAPE AS A LINER FOR SHELVING. SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----NOTED ALL SHELVING THROUGHOUT KITCHEN WITH FOOD DEBRIS, CLUTTER, AND DIRT. MUST CLEAN ALL, REMOVE ALL CLUTTER. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS WITH FOOD BERIS AND DIRT.----NOTED DIRTY BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

Minor Plumbing & Waste

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK WHERE HOSES ARE ATTACHED. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

EXCESSIVE DRIPPING GREASE ON HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

ANY UNUSED EQUIPMENT MUST BE REPAIRED, WORKING ORDER AND MAINTAINED OR REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

SOILED MOPS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED INVERTED AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

Minor Sanitation

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, UNDER SINKS, IN REAR MOP SINK ROOM AND REAR REFRIGERATOR STORAGE ALL WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, WASHROOM, AND MOP CLOSET.----MISSING/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE REAR REFRIGERATION STORAGE ROOM. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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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