Skip to content
Loading map…

ALI'S FOOD MART

1308 S CENTRAL PARK AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

ALI'S FOOD MART has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 21, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 20, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 5 inspections with 20 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 9, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on January 9, 2026. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on June 21, 2024. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 10 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

6 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Short Form Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 20 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR UNDER DISPLAY SHELVES, NEAR WATER HEATER AND BETWEEN SHELVING IN SALES, 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.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 OBSERVED LEAK UNDER UTILITY SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND CRATES STORED OUTSIDE AND IN REAR STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAK UNDER UTILITY SINK AND HAND WASHING SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND CRATES STORED OUTSIDE AND IN REAR STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
  4. Complaint

    13 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHEN TCS FOOD (GROUND BEEF 165.8F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED FLY STRIP HANGING FROM CEILING IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE FLY STRIP FROM PREP AREA.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EXTERIOR DOOR NOT TIGHTLY SEALED AROUND BOTTOM WITH 1/2IN GAP. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING AT BOTTOM FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEST ENTRY.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 20 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS NEAR REACH-IN FREEZER IN FRONT SALES AREA AND SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN FRONT COUNTER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST AND DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF SHEVING UNITS, COOLERS, FREEZERS, HOLDING UNITS, SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAK UNDER UTILITY SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON RESTROOM DOOR TO BE BROKEN. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND CRATES STORED OUTSIDE AND IN REAR STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY HANG MOPS TO DRY TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
  5. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EXTERIOR DOOR NOT TIGHTLY SEALED AROUND BOTTOM WITH 1/2IN GAP. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR DOOR TO BE TIGHT FITTING AT BOTTOM FOR THE PREVENTION OF PEST ENTRY.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON RESTROOM DOOR TO BE BROKEN. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  6. License

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL REFRIGERATORS ON THE PREMISES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASY SPLASH GUARD ON HANDS NEXT TO ITALIAN BEEF AND CHEESE HOT HOLD UNITS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED COOLING UNIT, UPRIGHT COOLER IN REAR PREP SHELVING RACKS, AND MICROWAVE IN REAR PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED NO CEILING ABOVE PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DESIGNED CEILING THAT IS CONSTRUCTED SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website