Amber Agave
Last inspected: Oct 2, 2025
45
Score
Public records show four inspections at Amber Agave stretching back to 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 2, 2025. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 14 violations to closer to 10 violations per visit over the last few inspections.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” comes up most often, recorded 11 times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Amber Agave's 45 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
4
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 2, 2025
Complaint
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FEMALE FOOD HANDLER PUT ON A HAIRNET AND THEN HANDLED UTENSIL.ALSO HAD ON PLASTIC GLOVES AND PLACED UTENSILS INSIDE OF SANITIZER AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND PLACED IN DISH RACK CHANGED GLOVES AND AGAIN WAS ON CELL PHONE AND HANDLED FOOD AND UTENSIL WITHOUT WASHING HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
8
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD PROTECTION DURING STORAGE OBSERVED AN ACTIVE LEAK OF DIRTY LOOKING WATER DRIPPING AND SPLASHING FROM CEILINGS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA WITH A POT AND A PLASTIC BUCKET ON UPPER STORAGE SHELF ABOVE PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AND BOXED FOOD ITEMS STORED BELOW AND A PLASTIC RED BUCKET IN MIDDLE OF FLOOR IN SAME AREA TO CATCH WATER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FOOD ITEMS FROM SHELVING UNITS AND STORE IN A PROPER MANNER.REPAIR LEAK AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
39
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED,PASTRIES,COFFEE,MUSHROOMS,SLAW,ETC,MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 10:57 A.M.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: PIC DOESN'T HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(COS)
1
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2619426 6/20/25 NOT CORRECTED- #44 4-903.11 (A; B; D): MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT. #49-4-601.11(C): MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM LEGS AND WHEEL BASES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS, INTERIOR & EXTERIOR OF FRYERS #55 6-201.11: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE FROM WALLS IN WALK-IN COOLER. #55 6-201.13 I: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN REAR PREP AREA. #56 6-501.14: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT BOTH HOODS OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.#56- 6-202.11: MUST REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)
60
Gloves used properly
Inspector notes: IMPROPER USAGE OF PLASTIC GLOVES BY FOOD HANDLER.
46
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE,PREP TABLES.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING & FLOOR TILES IN MOPSINK CLOSET,DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN REAR PREP AREA IN FRONT OF OVEN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND PREP TABLES AND FLOOR DRAIN AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
55
45
Jun 20, 2025
Reinspection
11 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ALONG BOTTOM OF WALK IN FREEZER.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM LEGS AND WHEEL BASES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS,INTERIOR & EXTERIOR OF FRYERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: : 6-201.11 : MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE FROM WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND IN WALK IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 I: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN REAR PREP AREA
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-501.14 : MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT BOTH HOODS OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-202.11 : MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 : MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS AND MAINTAIN.
58
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (SQUEEZE BOTTLES).
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15 : OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT & REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
38
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: : 3-304.12 : OBSERVED PAPER CUPS STORED INSIDE OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.
43
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: 4-903.11 (A;B;D) : MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT.
44
58
Jun 12, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 17 violations
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE THROUGHOUT PREMISES AT HAND SINKS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND TOILET ROOM AREAS (77.0F-89.6F) AND 3 3-COMPARTMENT SINK (87.8F).MUST HAVE HOT RUNNING WATER AT HAND SINKS AT 100.0F AND 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AT 110.0F.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. (PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)(CITATION ISSUED)(COS)HOT RUNNING WATER HAS BEEN RESTORED AT ALL ABOVE MENTIONED SINKS THROUGHOUT PREMISES AT 11:15 A.M.
50
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2594621 5/15/24 NOT CORRECTED-#55-6-501.11 OBSERVED CAULK BUBBLING ON CEILING ABOVE DOOR LEADING TO KITCHEN AND INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED HOLES IN BRICK WALLS IN DINING ROOM TOWARDS THE CEILING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL HOLES ARE SEALED. #55-6-201.11 OBSERVED BRICK WALLS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL BRICK WALLS TO ENSURE BRICKS ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.#55- 6-501.13 OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILDUP ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)
60
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
3
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DISCOLORED CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS TO CHECK SANITIZING SOLUTION PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
48
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WHITE PESTICIDE APPLICATION SCATTERED HEAVILY THROUGHOUT PREMISES ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT FROM PREP AREAS TO FOOD STORAGE AREAS, TOOL STORAGE AND HOT WATER TANK AREAS, ON PIPES OF ALL EQUIPMENT.MUST REMOVE PESTICIDE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-015)(CITATION ISSUED)
28
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FILTERS AT BOTH HOODS OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHTS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE (SQUEEZE BOTTLES).
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT & REAR DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
38
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PAPER CUPS STORED INSIDE OF FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS MUST REMOVE AND STORE PROPERLY.
43
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ALONG BOTTOM OF WALK IN FREEZER.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM LEGS AND WHEEL BASES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS,INTERIOR & EXTERIOR OF FRYERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE FROM WALLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT AND IN WALK IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN REAR PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM CEILING VENTS IN DINING AREA.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS AND MAINTAIN.
58
32
May 15, 2024
License
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTED SHELVING ABOVE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ON INTERIOR OF 3 DOOR COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAINT OR REPLACE RACKS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE 3-DOOR COOLER AND INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN. OBSERVED HEAVY SOILAGE INSIDE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAK FROM PIPE AT BOTTOM OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BRICK WALLS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL BRICK WALLS TO ENSURE BRICKS ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CAULK BUBBLING ON CEILING ABOVE DOOR LEADING TO KITCHEN AND INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED HOLES IN BRICK WALLS IN DINING ROOM TOWARDS CEILING INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL HOLES ARE SEALED.
55
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Amber Agave last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Amber Agave on file is from Oct 2, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Amber Agave?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 11 times, more than any other issue at Amber Agave.
Has Amber Agave's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Amber Agave have averaged around 10 violations per visit, down from roughly 14 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Amber Agave means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
Nearby Restaurants