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BABAS STEAK AND LEMONADE

3407 1/2 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60624 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BABAS STEAK AND LEMONADE has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 26, 2020. The most recent inspection, on November 2, 2020, found no infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Pests.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 28, 2020. For example: PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

  • 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 3 times on May 26, 2020. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 28, 2020. 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 on May 26, 2020. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 28, 2020. For example: CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Short Form Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER OR CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS STEAK ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012
    • 64. MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS
      • OBSERVED 2 EMPLOYEES WITHOUT FACE COVERINGS INSIDE THE ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE FACE COVERINGS AND MAINTAIN. CITATION ISSUED 7-28-060
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AS REQUIRED.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS.. APPROXIMATELY 25 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR AROUND TOILET AND SCATTERED ALONG WALL AS WELL AS 15 IN FRONT PREP AREA ALONG SIDE OF HEAVY GRILL EQUIPMENT ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE PRIOR TO RE-INSPECTION AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE EFFECTED AREAS. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020 (A). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKETS ON 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AS REQUIRED.
  5. Canvass

    16 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SLICED TOMATOES, HAMBURGERS, STEAK SANDWICHES, TZAIKI SAUCE) INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR PUBLIC VIEW. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN POLICY ON POSTED ON SITE OR NECESSARY ITEMS ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO PAPER-TOWELS AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP OR REAR PREP HAND SINKS IN FACILITY. ALSO OBSERVED NO HAND CLEANSER AVAILABLE AT REAR HAND SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR PROPER HANDWASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030 (c). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY'S PRESSURE AT @ LEAST 100F. MUST MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030 (c). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOODS @ IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS APPROXIMATELY 3 LBS OF SLICED TOMATOES @ 58.4F, 2 LBS CHOPPED CHICKEN @60.0F, 1 LB OF CHOPPED STEAK @ 60.0F, TAZIKI SAUCE @ 62.0F, AND 4LBS OF BEEF @ 54.0F.ALL FOOD ITEMS WERE STORED INSIDE 3 DOOR COOLER WITH COLD HOLD UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOOD ITEMS @ 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. MUST MAINTAIN. ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WERE DISCARDED AND DENATURED DURING THIS TIME, TOTALING $40. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED IN USE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT WITH COLD HOLD ATTACHED LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES, WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED TEMPERATURE @ 60.0F DURING THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DISCONTINUE USE AND REPAIR UNIT TO PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41 AND BELOW. TAGGED UNIT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR TESTING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN . PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS.. APPROXIMATELY 25 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR AROUND TOILET AND SCATTERED ALONG WALL AS WELL AS 15 IN FRONT PREP AREA ALONG SIDE OF HEAVY GRILL EQUIPMENT ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE PRIOR TO RE-INSPECTION AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE EFFECTED AREAS. MUST ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020 (A). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKETS ON 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO SANITIZING TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE FOR TESTING SANITIZER CONCENTRATION PPM AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE AND EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF COOLING UNITS AS WELL AS ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING HOT HOLDING UNIT LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF TRASH AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS OUTSIDE PREMISE NEAR RECEPTACLE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL OLD GREASE BUCKETS, TRASH , BROKEN TOILETS ETC. MUST MAINTAIN REFUSE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR REVIEW. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AS REQUIRED.

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