Fail

Mama Ruth's Soul Food

5965 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60651

Restaurant ZIP 60651 Risk 1 (High)

Failed · as of Oct 28, 2026

Mama Ruth's Soul Food was last inspected on October 28, 2026 with a result of “Fail”. Inspectors found 8 violations, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

October 28, 2026 · Canvass

Fail

Result: Fail

7 general1 paperwork
  • GeneralFood handling

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed packaged desserts not properly labeled in the prep cooler.instructed to label all desserts with common name, name of manufacturer and address, ingredients, net contents, etc.

    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 pest activity on the premises.approximately 30 live small flies on the walls and ceiling and on the storage racks inside unused walk-in-cooler that is being used as a dry storage room at this time. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity and maintain it. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a), citation issued.

    Official wording (code 38)

    Insects, rodents, & animals not present

  • GeneralHygiene & sanitation

    Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

    Inspector’s note: Observed employee with no hair restraint in the food prep area.instructed manager to provide hair restraints for all employees in the food prep area.

    Official wording (code 40)

    Personal cleanliness

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed raw wood shelves in the rear storage area.instructed to paint or seal the shelves and maintain.

    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: Observed a torn door gasket inside of the 7up prep cooler located at front prep/cooking area.instructed to replace the torn door gasket and maintain.

    Official wording (code 47)

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

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed no self-closing door device on the washroom door.instructed to install a self-closing door device on washroom door and maintain.

    Official wording (code 53)

    Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and organize the rear storage area and remove unnecessary articles; equipments/unused prep cooler due to potential pest harborage and elevate cleaning equipments off the floor at least 6" inches off the floor to facilitate cleaning and maintain.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • PaperworkManagement & training

    Required allergen training was missing.

    Inspector’s note: Observed the certified food manager with expired allergen training certificate. Allergen training is required for all employees that have a city of chicago food sanitation certificate.instructed to complete training and keep certificates on site.

    Official wording (code 58)

    Allergen training as required

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    5 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood temperature

      Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed broken ambient air thermometer for inside prep area table cooling unit labeled for employees only, for employees lunches, water/drinks, etc. In the kitchen prep area. Instructed to replace and maintain.

      Official wording (code 36)

      Thermometers provided & accurate

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no labels on food storage containers containing sugar and flour on shelving unit in the rear food prep area. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no splashguard between rear handwashing sink and food preparation table near the dishwashing area. Instructed to provide.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper storage of cases of soda pop stored on the floor in the front food prep area near the display cooler. Instructed to properly store at least 6 inches from the floor on shelving units.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed improper storage of mop in the rear dry storage area. Instructed to store properly.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  2. No Entry

    Non-Inspection · No Entry

    No violations

  3. Pass

    Complaint · Pass

    1 general Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide labeling on chopped watermelon and desserts in display cooler in front prep area.

      Official wording (code 37)

      Food properly labeled; original container

  4. Pass

    License Re-Inspection · Pass

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: 2-102.13: 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

  5. Fail

    License · Fail

    1 critical5 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed no handwashing sink in the dishwashing area. Instructed management that a handwashing sink must be located to allow convenient use by employees in dishwashing area. Must install a handwashing sink in said area. Priority foundation 7-38-030(c). No citation issued

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as liner on shelving units in broken walk-in cooler. Instructed manager to remove all cardboard from shelving units. All food and non-food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable.

      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: Observed torn/damaged rubber gasket on 2 door of the cooler; instructed to repair or replace gasket.

      Official wording (code 47)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed soiled mop head not properly stored. Instructed manager to hang mop heads to prevent insect breeding.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed unused equipment and unnecessary articles in storage area. Instructed manager to remove all unused, unnecssary equipment and articles to prevent pest harborage.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no working ventilation fan in restroom. Instructed to repair and maintain.

      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 certificates on site. Instructed manager to comply with the idph food handler requirement.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  6. Not Ready

    License · Not Ready

    No violations

More in ZIP 60651

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 days ago. Always confirm with the official record.