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LIL' BA-BA-REEBA!

441 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LIL' BA-BA-REEBA! has been inspected 16 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 26, 2018. The most recent inspection, on June 23, 2026, found no infractions.

11 of 16 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 0 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Pests and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2025. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 August 26, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 June 15, 2022. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2025. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on August 26, 2025. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

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.

16 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MAKER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA, DRIPPING INTO ICE "ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION". INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MAKER CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED GAP OPENING APPROX 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF REAR BASEMENT EXIT DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FIRST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN TOP SURFACES OF THE REAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE TO REMOVE LOOSE DRIED UP DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT COFFEE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED LITTER DEBRIS ON GROUND FLOOR SURROUNDING THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE COMPACTOR.INSTRUCTED TO BETTER MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE REFUSE ENCLOSURE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING ALONG THE REAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE.MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED RUST SURFACES ON WALL ALONG THE FRONT PREP LINE COOLERS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE RUSTS SO THAT WALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENTED AN INVALID COPY OF CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY MUST HAVE A PERSON ON SITE WITH AN VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BLACK AND PINK MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE ON LOWER AREA OF STAINLESS STEEL SHIELD NEAR HOLES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED UNCOVERED CONTAINERS OF KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS ON SHELF NEAR DINING AREA. CORRECTED ON SITE COVER PLACED ON CONTAINERS OF KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS ON SHELF NEAR DINING AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT ACROSS FROM COOKLINE. OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BLACK BUILDUP ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA. OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA AND EASTSIDE DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR TWO EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED NEXT TO ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE THERMOMETER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  12. Canvass

    0 infractions

  13. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  14. Canvass

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • CLEAR DELI CUPS CONTAINERS NOT AIR DRIED AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR DRY BEFORE STACKING.
  16. License

    1 infraction

    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO DOCUMENTATION OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION ON SITE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLETION ON SITE.

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