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SAM'S CHICKEN AND RIBS, PIZZA

3220 N KIMBALL AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60618 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

SAM'S CHICKEN AND RIBS, PIZZA has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 14, 2016. The most recent inspection, on August 25, 2021, found no infractions.

2 of 6 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food source, labelling and allergens and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 11, 2020. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 11, 2020. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on February 4, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 January 8, 2019. 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 8 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 11, 2020. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    8 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH PRODUCT COMMON NAME SUCH AS FLOUR BATTER.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXTREMELY DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF THE OVEN FOUND DIRTY WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • BROKEN/MISSING TOILET TANK IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. UNABLE TO CLEAN. MUST REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • RAW WOOD USED AS A WALL MOUNT FOR SHELVING ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PAINT/SEAL TO BE NON-ABSORBENT, CLEANABLE AND SMOOTH.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE WALK-IN FREEZER AND ABOVE THE METAL PREP TABLE. MUST REPLACE/PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 1-8-19 #2244175. #58-: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Canvass

    15 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE DURING INITIAL INSPECTION WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INITIAL INSPECTION WHILE BUSINESS WAS OPEN AND OPERATING. MANAGER WAS TELEPHONED AND ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES LATER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO WRITTEN CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT OR ALL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH PRODUCT COMMON NAME SUCH AS FLOUR BATTER.
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST NOT STORE KNIVES OR ANY MULTI USE UTENSILS IN STANDING SOLUTION.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED MISSING COLD AND HOT WATER HANDLES ON THE TWO FAUCETS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. WATER ONLY ABLE TO BE PROVIDED BY TURNING ON FROM THE MAIN VALVES UNDER THE SINK. MUST PROVIDE HOT AND COLD WATER HANDLES AND WATER AVAILABLE FROM BOTH FAUCETS OF THE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF THE OVEN FOUND DIRTY WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • EXTREMELY DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • BROKEN/MISSING TOILET TANK IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. UNABLE TO CLEAN. MUST REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • RAW WOOD USED AS A WALL MOUNT FOR SHELVING ABOVE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PAINT/SEAL TO BE NON-ABSORBENT, CLEANABLE AND SMOOTH.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE WALK-IN FREEZER AND ABOVE THE METAL PREP TABLE. MUST REPLACE/PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR EMPLOYEE ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM 1-8-19 #2244175. #58-: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 61. SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
      • SUMMARY REPORT FROM 1-8-19 NOT POSTED VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS. SUMMARY POSTED IN REAR KITCHEN, NO CUSTOMER ACCESS OR VISIBILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B) CITATION ISSUED.
  4. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • INSTRUCTED MANAGER REFRIGERATED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE SELL BY DATE ON LABEL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND CALIBRATE A METAL STEM THEROMETER ON PREMISES FOR FOOD HANDLERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING 2 STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • PREP AREA AND DISHWASH AREA HANDWASH BOWLS PIPES DRAINING SLOWLY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER BOTH HANDWASH BOWLS MUST DRAIN QUICKLY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • REAR STORAGE ROOM FLOOR CLUTTERED THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS OFF FLOOR OR REMOVE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
  5. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, GYROS, ETC.) ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ORIGINAL FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • FOODS NOT LABELED OR DATED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL AND DATE FOODS IN WALK IN COOLER (FIRST IN FIRST OUT).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER BEHIND CONDENSER AND WALL. MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP INSIDE WALK IN FREEZER ALSO MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF GREASE TRAP.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN FILTERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DUST/DEAD INSECTS INSIDE CEILING LIGHT COVERS ABOVE PREP AND DISH WASH AREA. MUST CLEAN ALL CEILING LIGHT COVERS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULBS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE BURNED OUT SAID LIGHT BULBS WITH WORKING LIGHT BULBS.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.
  6. License

    0 infractions

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