RestaurantLicence 2895874

Baba's Famous Steaks & Lemondade

7500 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago 60619

Latest verdictPassSep 23, 2026 · 21 days ago

Inspections10since Mar 8, 2023

Fail rate30.0%3 of 10 verdictscitywide 22.4% · above average

City risk ratingMedium riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass60%
Conditional10%
Fail30%

10 inspections from 2023 to 2026 · hover a mark

202420252026

PassSep 23, 2026Short Form ComplaintRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Noted small dead rodent in trap along south wall in office. Instructed to monitor all traps, remove and maintain.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Noted missing ceiling tiles in rear. Instructed to replace and maintain
PassAug 10, 2026Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 2 (Medium)
FailAug 3, 2026CanvassRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 1
  Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
  Observed person in charge without valid proof of food safety management training during time of inspection. Must provide.
2. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed facility food handlers preparing and handling time and temperature control for safety(tcs) foods without an original city of Chicago food service certificate holder on site. Informed person in charge the certified manager and their original city of Chicago food service certificate must remain posted on site during tcs food prep, cooking, serving and operating hours. Priority foundation violation #7-38-012. Citation issued
3. 13
  Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated
  Observed adulterated food.noted bread stored on rack chewed through. Manager immediately had employee discard bread 5lbs of bread valued at $25. Through denaturing process. Priority violation #7-40-050(a) citation issued
4. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed evidence of rodent activity on the premises. Observed approximately 15 small mouse droppings on the floor between cooler and trash can at service counter. Approx.15 small rodent droppings in office. Approx. 10 rodent droppings under kitchen prep table and 10 small rodent droppings in dish room under 3 compartment sink. Instructed to remove, clean and sanitize affected area priority foundation #7-38-020(a). Citation issued.
5. 54
  Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
  Noted grease receptacle in need of cleaning. Instructed to deep clean and maintain.
6. 54
  Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
  Observed all outside dumpsters with lids not closed due to trash overflowing. Instructed to correct and maintain to ensure tight fitting lids. Priority foundation violation #7-38-020(b). Citation issued
7. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed floors underneath storage rack in dish room not clean. Noted red sticky spillage. Also noted hole in ceiling in rear and on east wall in dish room. Instructed to properly repair and maintain.
PassOct 10, 2025Short Form ComplaintRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Observed no hand washing sign a front hand washing sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
2. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed no splashguard between utility and 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
3. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
4. 45
  Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
  Observed single service articles not inverted and stored on floor in storage area. Instructed manager to invert and elevate all single service articles off floor.
5. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed no stoppers for 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain. Observed peeling paint and rusty surfaces on shelving units inside reach-in coolers. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.
6. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  Observed multi-use equipment too large to submerge in 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to remove large equipment or install larger 3-compartment sink.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed food debris and grease buildup on interior and exterior surfaces of coolers, freezers, cooking equipment, shelving units, cabinets, etc. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.
8. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Observed no covered receptacle in washroom. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  : observed loose and missing baseboards, missing and stained ceiling tiles in lobby, front counter, prep, and storage areas. Instructed manager to replace and maintain. Observed peeling paint on walls in rear storage area. Instructed manager to make walls smooth and easily cleanable.
10. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed missing food handler training for employees. All employees handling food and equipment must provide food handler training.
PassSep 18, 2025Complaint Re-InspectionRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Observed no hand washing sign at front hand washing sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
2. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed no splashguard between utility and 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
3. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
4. 45
  Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
  Observed single service articles not inverted and stored on floor in storage area. Instructed manager to invert and elevate all single service articles off floor.
5. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed no stoppers for 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain. Observed peeling paint and rusty surfaces on shelving units inside reach-in coolers. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.
6. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  Observed multi-use equipment too large to submerge in 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to remove large equipment or install larger 3-compartment sink.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed food debris and grease buildup on interior and exterior surfaces of coolers, freezers, cooking equipment, shelving units, cabinets, etc. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.
8. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Observed no covered receptacle in washroom. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed loose and missing baseboards, missing and stained ceiling tiles in lobby, front counter, prep, and storage areas. Instructed manager to replace and maintain. Observed peeling paint on walls in rear storage area. Instructed manager to make walls smooth and easily cleanable.
10. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Observed missing food handler training for employees. All employees handling food and equipment must provide food handler training.
FailSep 10, 2025ComplaintRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Observed no hand washing sign a front hand washing sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
2. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed over 60 mice droppings scattered on floor along walls under dry storage shelves and on unused equipment in rear prep and storage areas. Observed live roach activity and numerous flying insects in prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to call an exterminator for service, clean and sanitize all areas. Priority foundation 7-38-020(a) citation issued
3. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed no splashguard between utility and 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
4. 41
  Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
  Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
5. 43
  In-use utensils: properly stored
  Observed 2 oz containers used as dispensing utensils. Instructed manager to provide long handle dispensing utensils with handle stored above food to prevent contamination
6. 44
  Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
  Observed mutli-use containers stored inside utility sink. Instructed manager to remove and properly wash, rinse and sanitize in 3-compartment sink.
7. 45
  Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
  Observed single service articles not inverted and stored on floor in storage area. Instructed manager to invert and elevate all single service articles off floor.
8. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed no stoppers for 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to provide and maintain. Observed peeling paint and rusty surfaces on shelving units inside reach-in coolers. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.
9. 48
  Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
  Observed multi-use equipment too large to submerge in 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to remove large equipment or install larger 3-compartment sink.
10. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed food debris and grease buildup on interior and exterior surfaces of coolers, freezers, cooking equipment, shelving units, cabinets, etc. Instructed manager to clean and maintain.
11. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed leaking drainpipe under 3-compartment sink. Instructed manager to repair and maintain.
12. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Observed no covered receptacle in washroom. Instructed manager to provide and maintain.
13. +5 more
PassMay 24, 2024Complaint Re-InspectionRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.
FailMay 17, 2024ComplaintRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  No label found on bulk storage containers in the rear food prep area; instructed to label containers with the name of the product inside of the container and maintain.
2. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed rodent activity on premises. Found 60 or more mouse droppings on the floor in the rear prep area under and around the cooler and other equipment; instructed to clean areas and have pest control company service prior to reinspection next week. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a) citation issued.
3. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Found a dead mouse on a glue board in the office area by the furnace; instructed to remove.
4. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Some food handlers not wearing appropriate hair restraints; instructed to provide and maintain.
5. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean and maintain the following: exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment, interiors of refrigeration units and freezers, interior bottom of the fryers, prep tables, steamtable, rolling cart.
6. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Employee washroom unclean; must clean and maintain toilet, floor, sink, walls and floor.
7. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed several water stained ceiling tile; instructed to replace where needed.
8. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Instructed to clean and maintain the floors and walls around under and behind all equipment.
9. 57
  All food employees have food handler training
  Instructed that all food handlers must obtain the required food handler training.
ConditionalJun 6, 2023Short Form ComplaintRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 2
  City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate
  Observed no city of Chicago certified food manager on site while the time/temperature control for safety foods (chicken) has been prepared and served. Instructed a city of Chicago certified food manager must be on site at all times with the original city of Chicago food service manager certificate. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012, citation issued
2. 8
  Hands clean & properly washed
  Observed poor hygienic practices. Food handler in the main food prep area had on two gloves on one hand handled raw chicken and took off one glove and began to prepare foods such as french fires. Also, observed food handler in the rear dishwashing area put on gloves without washing hands to cut green bell peppers that are used to top sandwiches. Instructed to wash hands and then put on a new pair of gloves before changing task. Priority violation 7-38-010, citation issued.
3. 22
  Proper cold holding temperatures
  Observed improper temperatures of cooked chicken (53.2f), steak meat (52.1f), sliced tomatoes (46.8f), cooked ground beef (45.8f), 12 beef polishes (45.0f), beef hot dogs (45.3f) all found in prep cooler in main food prep area, and strawberry, caramel, oreo, plain, cheesecake, chocolate, and lemon cake (45.0-48.8f) found inside stand-alone refrigerator. Manager discarded product. Approximately 350lbs. $850.00 must have cold holding foods at 41.0f or below. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued
4. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Observed improper temperature of prep cooler at 50.0f at the rear food prep area and a stand up refrigerator at the rear dishwashing area at 47.7f with tcs foods stored inside for sale. A held for inspection tag has placed on units. Once repaired, fax or email to cdph. Must have cold holding equipment at 41.0f or below. Priority 7-38-005, citation issued.
5. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  3-307.11 observed no splash guard at the mop sink near the three-compartment sink. Instructed to install a smooth and easily cleanable splash guard at the said mop sink and maintain.
6. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  4-101.11(b, c, d, e) observed the commercial can opener stored in the dishwashing area with rust build up on the can opener. Instructed to remove rust to make the can opener smooth and easily cleanable.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  4-602.13 observed grease build up on the commerical fan in the wall of the rear food prep area. Instructed to remove grease build up and maintain.
8. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  4-601.11(b) observed slight grease and rust build up on the sides of the cooking equipment under the ventilation system. Instructed to remove rust and grease build up the cooking equipment and maintain.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-201.11 observed the floor in the furnace/office area not finished. Instructed to finish the floor in the said area, to make the floor smooth and easily cleanable and maintain.
10. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.12 observed the floors throughout the food prep areas with slight debris behind the cooking equipment. Instructed to clean said floors more frequently and maintain.
11. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-501.114 observed the rear storage room and the rear hallway with unneccesary items and clutter in the said areas. Instructed to remove all unnecessary items, organize and maintain said areas.
12. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  6-201.17 observed an opening in the ceiling of the dishwashing area. Instructed to provide a ventilation cover on the said opening and maintain.
PassMar 8, 2023LicenseRisk 2 (Medium)
1. 39
  Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
  Observed no splash guard at the mop sink near the three-compartment sink. Instructed to install a smooth and easily cleanable splash guard at the said mop sink and maintain.
2. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed the commercial can opener stored in the dishwashing area with rust build up on the can opener. Instructed to remove rust to make the can opener smooth and easily cleanable.
3. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed slight grease and rust build up on the sides of the cooking equipment under the ventilation system. Instructed to remove rust and grease build up the cooking equipment and maintain.
4. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Observed grease build up on the commerical fan in the wall of the rear food prep area. Instructed to remove grease build up and maintain.
5. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed an opening in the ceiling of the dishwashing area. Instructed to provide a ventilation cover on the said opening and maintain.
6. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed the rear storage room and the rear hallway with unneccesary items and clutter in the said areas. Instructed to remove all unnecessary items, organize and maintain said areas.
7. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed the floor in the furnace/office area not finished. Instructed to finish the floor in the said area, to make the floor smooth and easily cleanable and maintain.
8. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observe the floors throughout the food prep areas with slight debris behind the cooking equipment. Instructed to clean said floors more frequently and maintain.

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

5518×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
498×
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
385×
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
395×
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
475×
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
575×
All food employees have food handler training
534×
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
103×
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 2895874 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.