Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
Last inspected: May 5, 2025
95
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at Awash Ethiopian Restaurant stretching back to 2017. The most recent report on file is from May 5, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing six times across the record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The record reflects steady performance over time.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 5, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOP IN A POSITION THAT DOES NOT ALLOW TO DRY PROPERLY AND PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. MUST STORE MOP AFTER USE IN A MOUNTED POSITION THAT ALLOWS FOR AIR-DRYING WITHOUT SOILING AND PEST HARBORAGING.
55
95
Jan 30, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: NOTED APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS ASSORTED COOKED VEGETABLES, MEATS, PREPARED CHEESE THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN AND REACH-IN COOLERS WITHOUT DATE LABELS OR EXPIRATION DATES. NO LABELS OF ANY KIND. REVIEWED WITH MANAGER PREPARED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE SELL BY DATE ON LABEL. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
23
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BROKEN DOOR HANDLE ON THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.----MUUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. MUST USE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING ON THE COOKS LINE. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DIRTY WALL NOTED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK FLOOR DRAIN AND AT THE LARGE GARBAGE CAN ON WEST WALL OF THE KITCHEN.----MUST NOT USE PAPER AS COVING FOR WINDOWS AND WALLS IN THE KITCHEN. MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR STORAGE ROOM, REAR KITCHEN HALLWAY FOOD STORAGE AND SAGGING CIELING TILE ABOVE THE TALL REACH-IN COOLERS. MUST REPLACE ALL.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: RAW WOODEN PANELS MUST NOT BE STORED IN THE REAR KITCHEN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR EMPLOYEES INCLUDING SERVER PRESENT DURING THE INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
67
Mar 20, 2023
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE HAND WASH SINK OF THE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE MACHINE ON ICE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDER.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.
47
86
Nov 17, 2022
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.11(B, C, D, E)-- BROKEN/MISSING DOOR HANDLES ON THE DOORS OF THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE. 4-501.11-- TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.
47
95
Nov 10, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY VIOLATION.
1
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2528623 ON 8-26-21 WAS NOT CORRECTED. #51- FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT THE ICE MACHINE WATERLINE. MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVEN LIVE ROACHES IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE FACILITY. AT THE MOP SINK, KITCHEN HAND SINK, STORAGE SHELVING, ICE MACHINE, BAR, AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE FOR ROACHES AND ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE IS POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: SOME AREAS INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND THE ONE-COMPARTMENT PREP SINK.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: BROKEN/MISSING DOOR HANDLES ON THE DOORS OF THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF BOTH OVENS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY WITH DEAD ROACHES.----WALLS AT THE KITCHEN THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, REAR KITCHEN HALLWAY STORAGE AT THE WINDOW WITH DIRT AND FOOD SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.---- WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN THE DINING ROOM, WASHROOMS, PREP AREA, AND DRY STORAGE.MISSING CEILING TILE IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE ALL.----WASHROOM CEILING VENTS WITH EXCESSIVE DUST.----BAR FLOOR DRAIN DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----MUST NOT USE PAPER AND DUCT TAPE AS WINDOW COVERING IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE HALLWAY, OR DUCT TAPE ON THE WASHROOM WALL AS REPAIR.----HOLE IN THE WALL IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST SEAL.----MISSING FLOOR TILE UNDER KITCHEN METAL PREP TABLE ON THE WEST WALL. MUST REPLACE.----EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER? MUST REMOVE.----SOILED/DIRTY LIGHT SHIELD IN THE REAR HALLWAY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE REAR HALLWAY DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
57
41
Aug 26, 2021
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE WATERLINE. MUST PROVIDE WHERE IT CAN BE LOCATED AND SERVICED.
51
95
Jan 28, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
May 7, 2019
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED, INJERA DOUGH. MUST LABEL.
37
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT STORAGE AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND CLUTTER INSIDE STORAGE AREAS.(OLD UNUSED ICE MACHINE). MUST CLEAN AND ORGANIZE/REMOVE UNUSED ICE MACHINE.
55
86
Nov 29, 2018
Routine
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER REFRIGERATED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE SELL BY DATE ON LABEL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETERS NOT CALIBRATED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CALIBRATE METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULBS (X2) ABOVE 1-COMPARTMENT SINK AT REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE WITH WORKING LIGHT BULBS.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
61
Oct 10, 2017
License
No violations found.
100
Oct 6, 2017
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: REACH-IN COOLER AND REACH-IN FREEZER NOT TURNED ON.MUST BE TURNED ON AND MAINTAIN TEMP OF 40F FOR THE COOLER AND 0F AND BELOW THE FREEZER. CRTICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
2
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: REAR AND FRONT DOOR(BOTTOM AND BETWEEN DOORS) NOT RODENT/INSECT PROOF.INSTRUCTED TO RODENT INSECT PROOF MENTIONED DOORS. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-020
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR INSIDE THE GAS AND WATER CLOSET,INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE 6" OFF THE FLOOR WHAT IS NEEDED
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: HOLE ON EAST WALL AND AROUND PIPES INSIDE THE STORAGE OF HOT WATER TANK
35
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Awash Ethiopian Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Awash Ethiopian Restaurant on file is from May 5, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Awash Ethiopian Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Awash Ethiopian Restaurant.
Has Awash Ethiopian Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Awash Ethiopian Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Awash Ethiopian Restaurant 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 Awash Ethiopian Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Awash Ethiopian Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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