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BABA'S

6421 S DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR, CHICAGO, IL 60637 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BABA'S has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 8, 2022. The most recent inspection, on June 18, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 8 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

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.

  • 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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on July 25, 2025. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on July 25, 2025. For example: PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on July 25, 2025. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 15 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on November 14, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 8 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 25, 2025. For example: UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED

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.

8 inspections

  1. Complaint

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WALLS IN VARIOUS AREAS IN NEED OF SCRAPING AND PAINTING TO REMOVE ALL PEELING PAINT ON WALLS INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
  3. Complaint

    12 infractions

    • 6. PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE
      • OBSERVED OPEN CUP OF BEVERAGE IN REAR PREP TABLE AND EMPLOYEE DRINKING FROM OPEN CUP IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLOSED LID CONTAINERS FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED CLEAN MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED AND STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SOILED CARDBOARD INSIDE BOTTOM OF REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL SOILED CARDBOARD AND MAINTAIN COOLER.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS AND CIGARETTE BURN MARKS ON REACH-IN AND CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, HOLDING UNITS, SHELVING UNITS, BULK CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED TOILET LEAKING FROM BASE INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON LIGHT SHIELDS AND CEILING TILES, GREASE BUILDUP ON FLOORS UNDER FRYERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 62. COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE
      • OBSERVED ONE ELEPHANT SHAPED ASHTRAY FILLED WITH CIGARETTE BUTT AND ASHES ON SHELF NEAR COCOA PEBBLES CEREAL BOX ABOVE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. OBSERVED ANOTHER ELEPHANT SHAPED ASHTRAY FILLED WITH ASHES ON SHELF NEAR TOILET TISSUE INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ASHTRAYS FROM PREMISES. ASHTRAYS SHALL BE REMOVED FROM ANY AREA SMOKING IS PROHIBITED BY THE OWNER, OPERATOR, MANAGER OR OTHER PERSON HAVING CONTROL OF THE AREA. SMOKING IS PROHIBITED IN PULBIC PLACES AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT. CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE (REMOVAL OF ASHTRAYS) 7-32-020(C) CITATION ISSUED
  4. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE FRYERS AND IN BOTTOM AREAS OF SOME FRYERS; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. OBSERVED GREASE ON THE ELECTRICAL PANELS BEHIND THE FRYERS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED GREASE ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF THE FRYERS AND IN BOTTOM AREAS OF SOME FRYERS; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. OBSERVED GREASE ON THE ELECTRICAL PANELS BEHIND THE FRYERS, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED STANDING WASTE WATER IN MOP BUCKET; INSTRUCTED TO DISPOSE OF WATER ONCE CLEANING IS DONE. CORRECTED ON SITE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • FOUND NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR; INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON DOOR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND WALLS AROUND UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED.
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • SOME CLEANING NEEDED TO THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT; CLEAN WHERE NEEDED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED AN AREA OF THE FLOOR IN NEED OF CLEANING BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT; CLEAN FLOOR. OBSERVED SOME CEILING VENTS AND LIGHT SHIELDS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST; CLEAN SAME.
  7. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ALL DOOR HANDLES AND SERVICE CARTS IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD BUILD AND OR GREASE. CLEAN ALL STORAGE CUBBIES UP FRONT BY REGISTER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD AT BLADE AND AT BASE OF OPENER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • CUTTING BOARD WORN WITH CUTS AND DISCOLORATION. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN OR REPLACE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • THE INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLER ON LINE IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • LEAK AT HANDLE ON HANDWASH SINK BY 3 OMPARTMENT SINK AREA. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS THROUGHOUT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPILLS AND BUILD UP. CLEAN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND REACH IN CHEST FREEZERS. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  8. License

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOME GREASE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRYER; CLEAN AREA. OBSERVED THE CUTTING BOARD AT THE PREP COOLER IN POOR CONDITION; INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO LID FOR THE THE WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WASHROOM; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WASTE RECEPTACLE WITH A LID.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RUST SPOTS ON FLOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER; INSTRUCTED TO PAINT AREAS IF RUST SPOTS CANNOT BE REMOVED.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP ON THE VENTS IN THE HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT; CLEAN VENTS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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