FALAFEL JOINT INC

6814 W NORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60707 · Restaurant

7 inspections

1. CanvassJun 26, 2026

   15 infractions

   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • OBSERVED NO HAND PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINK AT THE FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREAS AND INSIDE THE WASHROOM.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C), VIOLATION CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE CITATION.
   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK AT THE REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE.HAND SINK BEING USED TO STORE DIRTY BAKING SHEET PAN AND MULTI-USE UTENSILS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER, HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER REMOVED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C), CITATION ISSUED.
   • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
     • OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF (TCS FOODS) INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN 2-DOOR PREP LINE-COOLER.OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 48.2F,BEEF AT 47.9F,CUT TOMATOES AT 50.1F AND BABAGANOUSH AT 49.8F.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10#'S OF FOOD WORTH $120.00.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO MONITOR AND MAINTAIN ALL COLD (TCS FOODS) AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
   • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
     • OBSERVED THE KITCHEN 2-DOOR PREP LINE COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 55.5F-60.0F.THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE (TCS FOODS) HUMMUS,CUT TOMATOES, CHICKEN AND BEEF ETC.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID COOLER AT 41F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES.MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED REFRIGERATION REPAIR SERVICE.THE SAID COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED.(SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
   • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
     • FOUND FROZEN BEEF THAWING ON A PREP TABLE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT (TCS FOODS) MUST BE THAWED ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE, SUCH AS UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS 41F OR COLDER OR UNDER RUNNING WATER (70F OR COLDER).
   • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
     • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE THE KITCHEN PREP LINE 2-DOOR COOLER CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ACCURATE WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS.
   • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
     • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR RESTRAINT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN PREP TABLE.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN: PREP TABLES (TOPS AND BOTTOMS), KITCHEN STORAGE RACKS, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF DEEP FRYERS AND OTHER COOKING EQUIPMENTS, UNDER GRILLS AND SHELVES INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN PREPS/DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, BEHIND-UNDER-AROUND PREP TABLES AND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT BUILDUP.INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD SYSTEM TO REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF EXCESSIVE HANGING GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
   • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
     • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
2. CanvassJan 29, 2025

   1 infraction

   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.
3. CanvassOct 15, 2024

   2 infractions

   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED GREASE ON VENTILATION HOOD IN PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
4. CanvassJun 30, 2023

   4 infractions

   • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
     • OBSERVED CHICKEN AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 90F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 135F OR ABOVE. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS AT A COST OF $25.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
   • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
     • OBSERVED NUMEROUS TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER. FOODS SUCH AS RAW CHICKEN, BABAGANOUSH, HUMMUS AND RAW BEEF WERE FOUND AT TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 44-46F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. FOOD VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED BY MANAGER. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS AT A COST OF $150.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. SEE ABOVE FOR CITATION.
   • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
     • OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF PREP COOLER AT 50F. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST BE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED GREASE SPILLS ON FLOORS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
5. Canvass Re-InspectionOct 26, 2022

   5 infractions

   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • FOUND FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE ON THE CLEAN DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • FOUND HEAVY DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE FLOORS NEAR THE BOILER, UNDERNEATH THE 2-DOOR PREP TABLE, AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED GAPS AND CRACKS IN THE DAMAGED DRY WALL TO THE LEFT BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. MUST SEAL/REPAIR ALL GAPS AND CRACKS SO WALL IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD LOCATED OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT. FOUND HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE CEILING VENT ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • FOUND NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
6. CanvassOct 19, 2022

   8 infractions

   • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
     • FOUND FROZEN LAMB THAWING ON A PREP TABLE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TCS FOODS MUST BE THAWED ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE, SUCH AS UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS 41F OR BELOW OR UNDER RUNNING WATER (70F OR BELOW).
   • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
     • FOUND A THICK LAYER OF FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE ON THE TABLE UNDERNEATH THE GRILL, ON THE SIDES OF THE SPINNING GRILLERS, INSIDE THE FRYER, AND ON THE CLEAN DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
   • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
     • FOUND THE FRONT PREP HANDWASHING SINK SLOW DRAINING. MUST REPAIR.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • FOUND HEAVY DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE FLOORS NEAR THE BOILER, UNDERNEATH THE 2-DOOR PREP TABLE, AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED GAPS AND CRACKS IN THE DAMAGED DRY WALL TO THE LEFT BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. MUST SEAL/REPAIR ALL GAPS AND CRACKS SO WALL IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
   • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
     • OBSERVED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD LOCATED OVER COOKING EQUIPMENT. FOUND HEAVY DUST BUILD UP ON THE CEILING VENT ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
   • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
     • FOUND NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.
   • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
     • FOUND PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 10/14/21 REPORT #2534731 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #55 (6-501.12) OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION #55 (6-201.11) OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. VIOLATION #55 (6-501.114) OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
7. LicenseOct 14, 2021

   9 infractions

   • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
     • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
   • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
     • MUST PROVIDE VISIBLE AND WORKING THERMOMETER INSIDE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER.
   • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
     • MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
   • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
     • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
   • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
     • OBSERVED RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.
   • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
     • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE UNISEX EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
   • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
     • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.