T & K African Kitchen and Grocery Store

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Dec 26, 2025 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

2. Aug 18, 2025 No Entry

   Non-Inspection · No Entry

   No violations

3. Mar 7, 2024 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

4. Mar 1, 2024 No Entry

   Canvass Re-Inspection · No Entry

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard at hand sink next to 3-compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Hot or cold water wasn’t available, or water pressure was too low.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no cold running water at hand washing sink in rear dish washing area. Instructed manager to provide. Priority 7-38-030 (c)

     Official wording (code 50)

     Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

5. Jan 11, 2024 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard at hand sink next to 3-compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Hot or cold water wasn’t available, or water pressure was too low.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no cold running water at hand washing sink in rear dish washing area. Instructed manager to provide. Priority 7-38-030 (c)

     Official wording (code 50)

     Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

6. Dec 21, 2023 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   2 critical8 general Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: 4-303.11(b)observed no sanitizer for the three-compartment sink on site for sanitizing dishware. Instructed the facility to provide and maintain a food grade appropriate sanitizer solution to properly wash, rinse, and sanitize dishware, utensils, and food-contact surfaces. (sanitizer for the three-comp. Sink) priority violation 7-38-005, no citation issued.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFacility upkeep

     Hot or cold water wasn’t available, or water pressure was too low.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hot and cold running water throughout the facility. Instructed must restore hot and cold running water at all of the handwashing sinks (100-120f) and the three compartment sink (110-120f). Priority violation) 7-38-030(c)

     Official wording (code 50)

     Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed probe stem thermometer for taking food temperatures not working at this time. Instructed to provide an adequate probe stem thermometer and maintain. Priority foundation 7-38-005, no citation issued

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.111: observed a live mouse in the rear storage area and appx. 30 or more mice droppings scattered throughout premises such as on floor along wall bases in prep area and storage room & in between pallets, dish washing area along wall bases, rear food storage area-under and around storage shelves, hot water tank room in between clutter, on sales floor along wall bases. Must remove droppings clean and sanitize areas must have a pest control operator to service premises on or after 12/21/2023. Priority 7-38-020(a), no citation issued

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: 3-307.11: must provide a splash guard at hand sinks next to 2 & 3 compartment sinks.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

     Inspector’s note: 4-903.11 (a;b;d): must invert multi-use utensils on dish storage shelves

     Official wording (code 44)

     Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: 4-501.11: must provide sink stoppers for 3- compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 5-205.15: must repair or replace leaky pipe at rear hand washing sink.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-201.13: must repair damaged walls & holes in walls throughout premises. Isntructed to seal all cracks and crevices.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: 4-301.14: must provide adequate lighting throughout premises.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

7. Nov 8, 2023 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   2 critical17 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no signed employees health policies must provide and maintain.(priority foundation 7-38-010)(citation issued)

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalFood handling

     Toxic chemicals weren’t labeled, stored, or used safely.

     Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of open toxic rodenticide pellets scattered on floor throughout premises in dish washing area, prep area and storage area. Must remove clean and sanitize areas. (priority 7-39-015)(citation issued)

     Official wording (code 28)

     Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Must label repackaged food items on display for sale with name of business, address,phone number and ingredients.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Must label food storage containers when food is not in original package.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed evidence of infestation of appx. 300 or more mice droppings scattered throughout premises such as on floor along wall bases in prep area behind refrigerator,dish & food shelving units.adjacent storage room on & in between pallets,dish washing area along wall bases, rear food storage area-under and around storage shelves,hot water tank room in between clutter,on sales floor along wall bases.observed nesting material in between pallet in storage area.also. Appx. 8-10 live small flies flying around premises. Must remove droppings clean and sanitize areas must have a pest control operator to service premises on or after 11/8/23.(priority 7-38-020(a)(citation issued)

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed a gap along bottom of front door must make door tight fitting to prevent rodent entry.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide a splash guard at hand sinks next to 2 & 3 compartment sinks.

     Official wording (code 39)

     Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

   • GeneralFood handling

     Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

     Inspector’s note: Must invert multi-use utensils on dish storage shelves.

     Official wording (code 44)

     Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Must apply a sealant on raw wood surfaces at counter of kitchen.must replace missing glass lid on chest freezer.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide sink stoppers for 3- compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 47)

     Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no chemical test kit to check sanitizing solution ppm's at 3- compartment sink must provide and maintain.(priroity foundation 7-38-005)(citation issued)

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must clean grease and food debris build up from stove, storage racks & shelving units,interior and exterior of refrigerator,sinks,exterior of grease traps at sinks. Defrost ice build up from chest freezer.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace leaky pipe at rear hand washing sink.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must repair or replace damaged floor tiles where needed,damaged walls & holes in walls throughout premises.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must clean debris and food splatter,dirt build up from walls and ceilings throughout premises.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from floor drains and replace drain cover.must remove standing water from floor in hot water tank area and keep dry.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Must elevate articles and dishes from floor under and around floors and walls throughout premises.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must clean debris build up from filters and hood at cooking equipment.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Must provide adequate lighting throughout premises.

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers training for employees must provide and maintain.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

8. Oct 19, 2022 Pass

   License Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the window in the front in poor repair (broken). Must replace and maintain.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Instructed manager to provide and maintain sink stoppers for the new 3 compartment sink.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

9. Mar 14, 2022 Fail

   License Re-Inspection · Fail

   6 critical10 general3 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no adequate supplies on site to properly respond to vomit and/or diarrheal events. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no paper towels or sanitary hand drying devices at hand washing sink in prep area and hand sink next to 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide. Manager provided during inspection. Priority foundation. 7-38-030(c).

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing soap/cleanser at the hand washing sink located next to 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager that soap must be provided at all times. Manager provided during inspection. 7-38-030(c)

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signage at any hand washing sink. Instructed manager to provide.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     Toxic chemicals weren’t labeled, stored, or used safely.

     Inspector’s note: Observed unknown chemical stored in water bottle. Instructed manage to all label all chemicals when stored in secondary containment. Priority foundation.

     Official wording (code 28)

     Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food in refrigerator with no label. Instructed manager to label all foods with common name.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed rear exit door with 1 inch gap or more on sides and underneath door. Instructed manager to seal gap to prevent entry of pests.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store in sanitizing solution between uses.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed one stopper for 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager that each compartment must a stopper for a total of 3 stoppers.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed cooking equipment too large to fit in 3 compartment sink. Instructed manager that cooking equipment must effectively be washed, rinsed and sanitized.

     Official wording (code 48)

     Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed interior of cooking equipment with extreme accumulated food debris and old build up. Instructed manager to remove debris, clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed leak at bottom of utility sink in toilet room. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no covered waste receptacle for feminine hygiene products in toilet room. Instructed to provide.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed residential dumpster not a commercial dumpster as required. Instructed manager to have a commercial dumpster to accomodate waste accumulation. Proirity foundation. 7-39-020(b).

     Official wording (code 54)

     Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed holes in wall in prep area and cracked floor tiles near 3 compartment sink.observed raw wood door leading to storage area. Instructed manager to seal and patch/seal holes and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no certified food manager certificate on site. Instructed manager that a cfm must be on site at all times.(priority foundation 7-38-012)

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no food handlers certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Observed food service sanitation manager without food allergen training certificate. Instructed to meet requirement.

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

10. Sep 3, 2021 Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations