Conditional

Zahra's Kitchen

4807 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

Restaurant ZIP 60630 Risk 1 (High)

Pass with Conditions · as of May 28, 2026

Zahra's Kitchen was last inspected on May 28, 2026 with a result of “Pass w/ Conditions”. Inspectors found 11 violations, 1 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

May 28, 2026 · Complaint

Conditional

Result: Pass w/ Conditions

1 critical10 general
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed hand washing sink in dish area blocked by dishes stored in sink. Instructed manager to ensure hand washing sink is accessbile at all times. Dishes removed from sink. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c) citation issued.

    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: Obsserved roaches trapped in glue boards on floor instructed manager to remove trapped insects from premises.

    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: Observed dishes stored on floor of facility. Instructed manager to ensure all dishes and items are stored at least 6 inches off the floor.

    Official wording (code 39)

    Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

    Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard being used as shelving directly on top of oven. Instructed manager to remove cardboard. Shelving must be smoothly, easily cleanable, and non-absorbent.

    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 rusted shelving in rear of facility. Instructed manager to repaint or replace rusted racks.

    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 cooler missing lid. Instructed manager to replace lid.

    Official wording (code 47)

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

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed build up of soil and debris on exterior of oven and on dining room tables in facility. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 49)

    Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed build up of debris on interior of coolers instructed manager to 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: Observed liquid from raw animal products on floor outside of walk in cooler. Instructed manager to 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: Observed heavy clutter throughout kitchen, dish area, and in dry storage. Instructed manager to declutter to avoid pest harborage.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

    Inspector’s note: Observed soiland debris on floor throughout facility including in dining room, in kitchan and in basement of facility. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.

    Official wording (code 55)

    Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspection history

3 inspections on record

  1. Pass

    Canvass · Pass

    4 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • GeneralFood handling

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

      Inspector’s note: Observed establishment using plastic grocery bags to hold meats inside stand up freezer. Instructed manager must use food grade plastic bags only to hold foods inside.

      Official wording (code 39)

      Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed food debris/grime build up on exterior and interior of all prep area sinks, food build up inside prep area coolers and food build up on prep area shelves. Must clean equipment and maintain.

      Official wording (code 49)

      Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: No covered trash receptacle in customer washroom. Must provide.

      Official wording (code 53)

      Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Observed accumulated food/grease build up on ventilation hood and hood filters. Must clean ventilation hood and hood filters.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Not all food employees had food-handler training.

      Inspector’s note: No food handlers certificates on premises. Instructed manager all food handlers must be certified with names of employees on premises.

      Official wording (code 57)

      All food employees have food handler training

  2. Conditional

    License · Pass w/ Conditions

    1 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalManagement & training

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

      Inspector’s note: No employee health policy/training on site. Instructed facility to establish an appropriate employee health policy/training system and maintain with verifiable documents on site. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010.

      Official wording (code 3)

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

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

      Inspector’s note: Naked wood shelves in basement storage area must be smooth,clenable and non-absorbent material

      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: East-south wall above the four compartment sink has rough surface not cleanable.surface must be smooth cleanable and non-absorbent.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

      Inspector’s note: Observed washroom in the basement overloaded with household items, mostly unused chairs, boxes with broken small appliances, and tools. Instructed to remove all items if the area is used for a washroom or remove the toilet bowl and cap pipes on floor.

      Official wording (code 55)

      Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

      Inspector’s note: Protective light shield is required at light bulb in the kitchen.

      Official wording (code 56)

      Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

    • PaperworkManagement & training

      Required allergen training was missing.

      Inspector’s note: Additional allergen training certificates required on site. Instructed to provide for all certified food service managers

      Official wording (code 58)

      Allergen training as required

More in ZIP 60630

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