CHICAGO, IL - A routine inspection at Baba'S on 07/25/2025 resulted in citations for health code violations.
Situated at 6421 S Drive Martin Luther King Jr Drive Chicago Illinois in Grand Boulevard, the restaurant serves a diverse clientele in one of Chicago's bustling districts.
The inspection report documents: "6. Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use - comments: observed open cup of beverage in rear prep table and employee drinking from open cup in rear prep area. 37. Food properly labeled; original container - comments: observed bulk contain..." Health officials note that these violations need attention to maintain proper compliance.
Health department officials noted violations related to pest control, which require attention for public health compliance.
Pest control violations represent some of the most significant infractions in food service inspections Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that Federal food safety regulations require all food service establishments to maintain comprehensive pest exclusion programs. The HACCP Prevention Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
Among the findings were infractions involving sanitation, a key component of food safety protocols.
Industry experts consistently emphasize the critical importance of proper sanitation protocols. The FDA Sanitation Standards clearly states that The FDA Food Code establishes comprehensive sanitation requirements that form the foundation of safe food service operations.
Among the findings were infractions involving temperature control, a key component of food safety protocols.
Professional food safety experts consider temperature monitoring essential for preventing foodborne illness Research conducted by federal health agencies demonstrates that Temperature abuse remains the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurant settings. The FDA Temperature Safety Guidelines provides comprehensive guidance for preventing such violations.
These compliance issues require correction to maintain proper standards for the restaurant and public health. Food safety professionals indicate that addressing non-compliance helps ensure customer safety standards.
The Chicago Department of Public Health has mandated that Baba'S immediately address all identified violations before resuming normal operations. A follow-up inspection has been scheduled to verify compliance.
These findings underscore the essential nature of comprehensive health compliance in restaurant operations. Community members should feel empowered to examine health department findings when choosing restaurants.
| Inspection ID | 2621268 |
| DBA Name | BABA'S |
| AKA Name | BABA'S |
| License # | 2877626 |
| Facility Type | Restaurant |
| Risk | Risk 1 (High) |
| Address | 6421 S DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR |
| City | CHICAGO |
| State | IL |
| Zip | 60637 |
| Inspection Date | 07/25/2025 |
| Inspection Type | Complaint |
| Results | Pass w/ Conditions |
| Violations | 6. PROPER EATING |
| OR TOBACCO USE - Comments | OBSERVED OPEN CUP OF BEVERAGE IN REAR PREP TABLE AND EMPLOYEE DRINKING FROM OPEN CUP IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLOSED LID CONTAINERS FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. | 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD. | 44. UTENSILS |
| EQUIPMENT & LINENS | PROPERLY STORED |
| & HANDLED - Comments | OBSERVED CLEAN MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL CLEAN MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION. | 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE CONTAINERS NOT INVERTED AND STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT AND ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION. | 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE |
| CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments | OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS AND CIGARETTE BURN MARKS ON REACH-IN AND CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR GASKETS AND MAINTAIN. | 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS |
| BULK CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. | 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments | OBSERVED TOILET LEAKING FROM BASE INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. | 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED |
| & CLEANED - Comments | OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COVERED RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOM. | 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED |
| MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments | OBSERVED CLUTTER IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. | 62. COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE - Comments: OBSERVED ONE ELEPHANT SHAPED ASHTRAY FILLED WITH CIGARETTE BUTT AND ASHES ON SHELF NEAR COCOA PEBBLES CEREAL BOX ABOVE PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. OBSERVED ANOTHER ELEPHANT SHAPED ASHTRAY FILLED WITH ASHES ON SHELF NEAR TOILET TISSUE INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ASHTRAYS FROM PREMISES. ASHTRAYS SHALL BE REMOVED FROM ANY AREA SMOKING IS PROHIBITED BY THE OWNER |
| Latitude | 41.77776928832673 |
| Longitude | -87.615417280148 |
| Location | (41.77776928832673 |
This inspection was conducted on July 25, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were found: pest-control, sanitation, temperature-control.
Health code violations can increase the risk of foodborne illness. Common concerns include improper food temperatures (which can allow bacteria growth), inadequate handwashing facilities (which can spread germs), pest activity (which can contaminate food), and cross-contamination risks. These violations are monitored by health departments to ensure public safety and prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.
All inspection data for this report is sourced directly from the Chicago Department of Public Health . View the original data source .
Food safety standards referenced in this report are based on:
Important Note: This article is based on official inspection reports at the time of inspection. Current conditions may differ. Always check the most recent inspection results before dining. Establishments have the opportunity to correct violations and request re-inspection.
