Chef Rafael & Son's was last inspected on May 16, 2025 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 10 violations, 1 of them critical, including signs of pests.
Latest inspection
May 16, 2025 · Canvass
Result: Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical6 general3 paperwork-
CriticalManagement & training
No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.
Inspector’s note: Person in charge at the time of inspection does not have a city of chicago sanitation certificate. Priority foundation violation. No citation issued
Official wording (code 1)
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
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GeneralFood handling
Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.
Inspector’s note: Must label dry food containers with common name:rice,sugar etc.
Official wording (code 37)
Food properly labeled; original container
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GeneralPests
Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.
Inspector’s note: Mesh at screen side door broken,instructed to replace to minimize pest/insect entry
Official wording (code 38)
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
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GeneralFood handling
Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.
Inspector’s note: Must not use tape as padding for the corner of the metal splashguard at handwshing sink in rear prep area.remove tape or provide a new splahguard.surface must be smooth cleanable and non-absorbent material
Official wording (code 45)
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment and surfaces were dirty.
Inspector’s note: Accumulated grease and food debris on walls, utility connections and equipment surfaces behind cooking line. Also interior and exterior of flat grill.must clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 49)
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Repair leaking pipe under the handwash sink inside the cabinet at front serving area.replace hot water handle at faucet of handwshing sink in the kitchen
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Grease on floor under cooking equipment in prep area.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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PaperworkManagement & training
No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.
Inspector’s note: No original and valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate posted nor provided on site for present manager on duty at starbucks. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation: 7-38-012, citation issued.
Official wording (code 2)
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: No food handler training certificate provided on site,instructed to provide
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: No allergen training certificates provided on site. Instructed to provide for all certified food service managers
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
Inspection history
13 inspections on record
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.
Inspector’s note: Noted foil paper used to line shelves. Instructed to clean and remove all cardboard boxes to prevent hiding places for pest.
Official wording (code 47)
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Noted stained ceiling tiles at the kitchen prep area and dining area. Instructed to clean, repair and maintain. Also noted dirty and dusty ventilation units on ceiling at the dining area. Instructed to clean and maintain.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
1 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: Observed no verifiable health policy on site at time of inspection. Left template and instructed to maintain copies of health policy signed by all employees on site at all times. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed no backflow prevention device attached to mop sink. Instructed to provide in accordance with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: Observed faucet in women's toilet room loose and hot water handle very hard to turn. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain in good condition.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.
Inspector’s note: Observed no covered trash receptacle inside women's toilet room. Instructed to provide.
Official wording (code 53)
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 not working refrigerators in rear prep area. Instructed to remove from premises.
Official wording (code 55)
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
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GeneralRepeat violation
A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.
Inspector’s note: Observed the following previous core violation not corrected from report #2300624 dated 7/2/2019: #58 "no food allergen training ceritificates on premises. Instructed all city of chicago certified food managers must have food allergen training certificates on premises." instructed to correct and come into compliance. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 60)
Previous core violation corrected
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PaperworkManagement & training
Not all food employees had food-handler training.
Inspector’s note: Observed one employee without food handler training. Instructed all employees should complete food handler training and maintain records thereof on site at all times.
Official wording (code 57)
All food employees have food handler training
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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No Entry
Non-Inspection · No Entry
No violations
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Conditional
Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions
2 critical1 general1 paperwork Show violations
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CriticalManagement & training
Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.
Inspector’s note: No employee health policy on premises. Instructed manager must provide an employee health policy on premises. Priority foundation 7-38-010. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 3)
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
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CriticalManagement & training
No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.
Inspector’s note: 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. No citation issued.
Official wording (code 5)
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.
Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink missing stoppers (x2). Instructed manager must provide additional working stoppers for said sink.
Official wording (code 51)
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
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PaperworkManagement & training
Required allergen training was missing.
Inspector’s note: No food allergen training ceritificates on premises. Instructed all city of chicago certified food managers must have food allergen training certificates on premises.
Official wording (code 58)
Allergen training as required
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Pass
Canvass · Pass
1 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Observed 2 prep area ceiling light covers not tight fitted also observed dust build up on prep area light covers. Must reattach/make tight fitted all prep area ceiling light covers and clean ceiling light covers.
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No Entry
Canvass · No Entry
No violations
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Pass
License · Pass
2 general Show violations
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector’s note: Must remove aluminum foil from the bottom lower level shelving rack under the cooking unit. All surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable at all times.
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GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector’s note: Must clean and remove dust accumulation at the vent cover in the customer dining area closest to the rear kitchen. Must seal small opening a wall covering across from stove to the right hand side to prevent pest entry.
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More in ZIP 60618
Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 18 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.