Pass

Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade

810 W 59th St, Chicago, IL 60621

Restaurant ZIP 60621 Risk 1 (High)

Passed · as of Sep 30, 2026

Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade was last inspected on September 30, 2026 with a result of “Pass”. Inspectors found 3 violations.

Latest inspection

September 30, 2026 · Complaint

Pass

Result: Pass

3 general
  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Noted slight grease build-up in compartment under fryers. Instructed to deep clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Noted floors walls and ceilings in kitchen, dish room (under 3 compartment sink), where rear mop sink near rear exit is located, in employee washroom and storage area in front of walk-in cooler in need of cleaning. Instructed to deep clean and maintain

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Noted large unused equipment stored next to dishroom handwash sink, and items on the floor next to rear mop sink. Also noted clutter on shelves in storage area to walk-in cooler

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspection history

7 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    No violations

  2. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    3 critical1 general3 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

      No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

      Inspector’s note: Observed person in charge without proof of food safety management training during time of inspection. Must provide.

      Official wording (code 1)

      Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed handsinks in prep area, dish area and employee restroom not stocked with hand soap. Informed person in charge that hand soap must be available at handsinks at all times. Food handler obtained hand soap for hand sink during time of inspection. Priority foundation violation #7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • CriticalFood source

      Food was spoiled, contaminated, or unsafe.

      Inspector’s note: Adulterated food, noted large fly floating in fish held in 2 sliding door refrigerator in kitchen. Person in charge discarded and denatured approx. 2lbs valued at $20. Priority violation #7-40-050(a) citation issued

      Official wording (code 13)

      Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed grease spilled on grounds surrounding outside grease container. Instructed manager to clean and maintain outside waste grease area and waste grease container. Priority foundation violation #7-38-020(b). Citation issued.

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • PaperworkManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed facility without a valid city of chicago food service sanitation certificate holder on site while tcs foods (fish, chicken, beef, dairy products, cooked/reheated food) where being held and handled. Owner/ certified food manager arrived at 3:47pm without certificate. Informed person in charge an original city of chicago food service certificate must be posted, along with the certified manager being on site when time and temperature control for safety(tcs) foods are stored, prepared, cooked and served. Priority foundation violation #7-38-012. Citation issued.

      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 proof of training for all food handlers. Instructed to provide and maintain records on site at all times.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Observed no proof of allergen training. Instructed all city of chicago certified food managers obtain this certificate.

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

  3. Pass

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

    2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Found rear exit door with a 1/2 inch gap at the bottom; instructed to seal gap to avoid possible rodent entry.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the floor inside of the walk-in cooler and freezer.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  4. Fail

    Complaint Re-Inspection · Fail

    1 critical2 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalRepeat violation

      A previously cited serious violation still wasn’t fixed.

      Inspector’s note: Previous priority foundation violation not corrected from june 25, 2025. #54 disposal area not maintained. Observed no covers (lids) on the dumpster in the rear of building; instructed to obtain a dumpster with tight fitting lids to cover garbage. Priority violation 7-42-090 citation issued.

      Official wording (code 59)

      Previous priority foundation violation corrected

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Found rear exit door with a 1/2 inch gap at the bottom; instructed to seal gap to avoid possible rodent entry.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the floor inside of the walk-in cooler and freezer.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  5. Fail

    Complaint · Fail

    1 critical7 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

      Official wording (code 10)

      Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Found rear exit door with a 1/2 inch gap at the bottom; instructed to seal gap to avoid possible rodent entry.

      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 evidence of rodents on premises. Found 50 or more rodent droppings on the floor in the corner by the dry products and in corner areas under and around equipment. Instructed to clean all areas to remove droppings. Recommended having pest control company return for service prior to reinspection. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: The following equipment in need of cleaning: exterior surfaces of fryers, grill, stove, hot holding units, can opener blade, prep tables at top and bottom area, shelves inside of the walk-in cooler, interiors of other refrigeration units, sinks, cutting board on prep table and blender on prep table and rolling cart shelves. Instructed to clean and maintain all equipment. Instructed to clean the bottom area of all fryers and area under grill to remove grease and other food debris.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Sewage or wastewater wasn’t disposed of properly.

      Inspector’s note: Observed dirty standing waste water in the mop bucket in the dishwashing area; instructed to dispose of water when done using.

      Official wording (code 52)

      Sewage & waste water properly disposed

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Disposal area not maintained. Observed no covers (lids) on the dumpster in the rear of building; instructed to obtain a dumpster with tight fitting lids to cover garbage. Observed trash and other debris on ground around dumpster; instructed to clean and maintain area. Remove all trash from ground around dumpster. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(b) citation issued.

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain the following: floors around under and behind all kitchen and other equipment to remove dirt, grease and other debris. Clean walls around and behind equipment to remove grease and other build up and maintain. Clean ceiling vents to remove dust. Clean walls inside of the walk-in cooler. Clean floor inside of walk in cooler to remove standing water and molded food that has fallen on the floor and not been removed.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed the vents in the hooded system above the cooking equipment in need of detail cleaning; instructed to clean 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: Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  6. Pass

    License · Pass

    5 general Show violations
    • GeneralPests

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed rear exit door with a 1/4" gap at the bottom. Must repair and maintain to prevent possible entry point for pests.

      Official wording (code 38)

      Insects, rodents, & animals not present

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Must clean interior of display coolers to remove spills and/or debris.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Must clean and maintain fixtures, floors and shelving inside the washroom.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

      Inspector’s note: Must clean and maintain rear yard of premises to prevent pest harborage.

      Official wording (code 54)

      Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Floors need cleaning along the wall base and in corners through out to remove debris.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

More in ZIP 60621

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 5 weeks ago. Always confirm with the official record.