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ZA'ATAR MED GRILL

2459 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ZA'ATAR MED GRILL has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 3, 2016. The most recent inspection, on November 2, 2022, found no infractions.

2 of 9 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 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.

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 24, 2021. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2018. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 June 24, 2021. 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 3, 2021. 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on June 24, 2021. 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.

9 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MIDDLE PREP AREA HANDWASH BOWL COLD WATER HANDLE STRIPPED. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID SINK.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 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 WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • FOUND SOME LARGE BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • SOME PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.
  4. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT HAND SINK IN FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 2 FOOT BY 2 FOOT HOLE IN FLOOR IN FRONT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES AT THIS TIME, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES FOR CLEANING UP VOMIT AND DIARRHEA, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE NECESSARY ITEMS NEEDED AND A DISINFECTANT RATED FOR NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE SMALL BOX FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE ICE, INSTRUCTED TO DEFROST AND CLEAN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE CEILING LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  6. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • Observed food at improper temperatures in the cooler across from the flat top grill: found 7lbs of cooked chicken at 47.1f and 6lbs of cooked gyro meat at 47.4f. Operator discarded and denatured said food items with a stated value of $25. Instructed to maintain all potentially hazardous foods at 40f or below or 140f or above. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • Observed poor hygienic and hand washing practices: observed an employee touch a cell phone and another touch a broom both without washing hands before resuming food handler tasks. Also observed employees wash hands and shut off the sink without drying hands prior and without a paper towel. Instructed facility to wash hands frequently and at every possible point of contamination in the proper fashion and to maintain best practices. Critical violation 7-38-010(a).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Observed meat stored in plastic grocery bags. Instructed facility to store all foods in food grade containers and to maintain.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • Observed multiple employees without hair restraints upon arrival. Instructed facility that all food handlers or employees in food prep areas must maintain hair restraints.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • Observed wash cloths stored on prep areas and on sink splash guards. Instructed facility to store in an appropriate manner and to maintain.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • Facility not in compliance with food handler requirement: not all employees have food handler certificates. Instructed facility all employees employed over 30 days must take an approved IDPH Food Handler training course and maintain proof on site. Correct and maintain.
  7. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS BEING STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE 2-DOOR REAR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN WITH INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 76.9F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED FOOD APPROXIMATELY 15LBS OF FOOD VALUE OF $80. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD FOODS AT 40.0F OR BELOW AND ALL HOT FOODS AT 140.0F OR ABOVE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS CHICKEN SHAWARMA, BEEF KABOB, RICE, CHICKEN KABOB ETC. INSTRUCTED TO OPERATE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-38-012.
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 06/30/16 REPORT#1932092 (36)NOTED MISSING ONE LIGHT BULB AT THE HOOD OF STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB. (37) NOTED BATHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE DOOR. (38) NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATIONS 7-42-090.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF FRONT EXPOSED HAND SINK AND PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
  9. License

    3 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • NOTED MISSING ONE LIGHT BULB AT THE HOOD OF STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • NOTED BATHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING DEVICE FOR THE DOOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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