CHICAGO, IL - Health inspectors documented violations at CAIRO KEBAB during a routine inspection conducted on 08/18/2025.
Situated at 730 W MAXWELL ST, the establishment is part of University Village's active food service sector. The University Village area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 5 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation related to sanitization. Inspectors documented: 47. Food & Non-food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used - Comments: 4-101.19 Observed Heavy Rust Accumulation on the Wire Storage Racks in the Walk-in Cooler. Management Instructed to Repaint or Replace the Storage Racks.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The second violation related to sanitization. Inspectors documented: 47. Food & Non-food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used - Comments: 4-101.11 Observed Plastic Grocery Bags Used to Store Frozen Meats in the Freezer. Management Instructed to Use a Proper Food Grade Storage Bag or Container for All Food.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
The third violation concerned cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: 49. Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: 4-602.13 Clean the Stove and Convection Oven, and Light Shields in the Food Prep Area.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The fourth violation involved handwashing procedures. Inspectors documented: 55. Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: 6-501.12 Clean the Ceiling Tiles in the Food Prep and Dish Washing Areas.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The fifth violation involved hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: 57. All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training - Comments: 2-102.13 No Valid Food Handler Certificates Were Provided for the Food Handling Employees. Management Instructed That All Food Handling Employees Must Sho. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
The correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/18/2025 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED NO LABELS FOR BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS (FLOUR AND RICE). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.; PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD. MUST MAINTAIN.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES BEING USED AS SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE AND PROVIDE SHELVING 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND PROVIDES FLOOR ACCESSIBILITY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: NOTED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH-IN COOLERS AND REFRIGERATORS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON THE FLOORS AND SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN UNDER ALL SHELVING UNITS, THE INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS, PREP TABLES, AND DEEP FRYERS TO REMOVE SPILLS, FOOD DEBRIS, DIRT BUILDUP, AND/OR GREASE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.; MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COPIES OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.; PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES, INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE COFFEE STATION AND FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON INTERIOR DOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER AND PREP COOLER LOCATED IN REAR HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING CEILING PANELS THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED 1 BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN THE CEILING OF THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF DUST ON CEILING PANELS AND VENTS IN CEILING OF REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES TO COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES..
Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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