Ali Nihari
Last inspected: Jun 18, 2025
100
Score
Ali Nihari has been inspected 10 times since 2021. The newest entry in the record is dated Jun 18, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around one violation lately and about seven violations before that.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “adequate ventilation & lighting”, showing up four times.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Ali Nihari on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 18, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 17, 2025
Complaint
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERTURES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER BETWEEN 49.8 F AND 51.1 F- CHICKEN, COOKED VEGGIES, BUTTER AND GOAT MEAT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD BELOW 41.0 F IF HELD COLD. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE TCS FOODS VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED. FOODS DISCARDED WEIGHT-100 LBS, VALUED AT $700.00.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: WALK IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 48.0 F, FOUND CHICKEN, BUTTER, ETC. HELD INSIDE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR WALK IN COOLER, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0 F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.
33
74
Feb 4, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING LIGHT COVER DAMAGED/CRACKED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING LIGHT COVER ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
56
90
Jan 28, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED GREASE SPILLED ONTO ALLEY FLOOR AROUND GREASE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN ALLEY FLOOR AROUND GREASE CONTAINER AND MAINTAIN BY DATE OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B).
54
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ESTABLISHMENT USING PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS TO STORE FOODS INSIDE CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST USE ONLY FOODS GRADE PLASTIC BAGS TO HOLD FOODS.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
51
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MOP SINK BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE LEAKING WHEN HOT/COLD WATER IS TURNED ON ALSO PREP AREA HANDWASH SINK FAUCET LEAKING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN MOP SINK BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AND PREP AREA HANDWASH SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CEILING PEELING PAINT AT PREP AREA ABOVE MICROWAVE AND SMALL HOLE IN CEILING ABOVE MOP SINK. MUST REPAIR/SEAL HOLES IN CEILING AT SAID AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: WALK IN FREEZER LIGHT BULB NOT WORKING ALSO OBSERVED CEILING LIGHT COVER DAMAGED/CRACKED ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A WORKING LIGHT BULB INSID WALK IN FREEZER AND REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING LIGHT COVER ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
56
67
Feb 7, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: PREP TABLE BASE IS RUSTY UNABLE TO CLEAN IN THE KITCHEN.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
47
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED ON SITE.
57
90
Jan 31, 2024
Complaint
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: WE OBSERVED THREE PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH COOKED FOOD STORED ON SHELVES IN THE KITCHEN AT TEMP OF 84F TO 91.7F.NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOG PROVIDED ON SITE.COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 41F AND HOT FOOD 135F AND ABOVE.FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED.POUNDS 50,VALUE 400. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED
22
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: UNABLE TO USE SOAP PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWAHING SINK IN PREP,DISHROOM AND FRONT SERVICE AREA, DUE TO CONTAINER NOT SET UP AT SOAP DISPENSER. NEED ANOTHER PERSON TO DISPENSE SOAP.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE UNIT PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-010.CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: DRY FOOD STORED INSIDE THE PLASTIC CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOK WITH BEARD AND WITHOUT A BEARD RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARDS. ALSO HAIR RESTARINT IS REQUIRED BY EVERYONE ENTERING THE KITCHEN.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: PREP TABLE BASE IS RUSTY UNABLE TO CLEAN IN THE KITCHEN.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE. MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS,REMOVE AND PROVIDE RAISED SHELVES.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN AND DIRTY DUCT TAPE USED AT CHEST FREEZER DOOR. MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR. REMOVE AND REPLACE SAID DOOR. TALL REACH-IN COOLER AND THE PLASTIC LID OF THE BULK FLOUR CONTAINER. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE. Edit
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: GREASE INSIDE THE DEEP FRYERS,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: WATER SPRAYER AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS CONTINUOUSLY LEAKING.REPAIR ISSUE.
51
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED ON SITE.
57
50
Feb 10, 2023
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 4-603.15 OBSERVED POTS THAT ARE TOO LARGE TO FIT IN A 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WRITTEN ALTERNATIVE PROCEEDURES FOR WASHING RINSING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT.
48
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES WITH NO RECORD OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENT.
57
90
Feb 3, 2023
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHLORINE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION ABOVE 200 PPM IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO UTLIZE CHLORINE SANITIZER WITH A CONCENTRATION BETWEEN 50-200 PPM. SANITIZER DRAINED FRESH SANITIZER PLACED IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
28
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOLER IN FRONT FRONT SERVICE AREA NEAR FRONT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH AN INADEQUATE INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE OF 47 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS HAVE AN INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. UNIT TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
33
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 LIVE ROACHES IN COOKING POTS OF EQUIPMENT ON STORAGE RACKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ANY AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ANY AFFECTED POTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTS THAT ARE TOO LARGE TO FIT IN A 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WRITTEN ALTERNATIVE PROCEEDURES FOR WASHING RINSING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT.
48
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOOD FILTERS ABOVE GRIDDLES WITH AN ACCUMULATION OF DUST AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES WITH NO RECORD OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENT.
57
55
Jul 19, 2022
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS ON PREP TABLE IN KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA WITH NO LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED VENT COVERS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DRY STORAGE LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA WITH CLUTTER AND ITEMS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE DRY STORAGE AREA AND KEEP ITEMS ELEVATED OFF OF FLOORS.
55
86
Jun 8, 2021
License
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES WHO OBTAIN THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
58
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ali Nihari last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ali Nihari on file is from Jun 18, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ali Nihari?
Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Ali Nihari.
Has Ali Nihari's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Ali Nihari have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ali Nihari means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Ali Nihari inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ali Nihari is inspected around two times per year on average.
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