Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
55
Score
Inspectors have visited Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade four times, with records going back to 2025. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 18, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to seven violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “all food employees have food handler training”, showing up four times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade's 55 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
4
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Complaint
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS SUCH AS 50LBS OF CHICKEN VALUED AT $100 AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 50F LOCATED IN FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 49.5F AT FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN, HAMBURGERS, SAMDWICHES, AND FRENCH FRIES. MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
1
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
10
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
55
Dec 22, 2025
Complaint
2 critical violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD STORED INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE, SLICED TOMATOES 60.2F, BEEF 59.6F, CHICKEN 57.5F, GYRO SAUCE 55.8F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 52.7F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLER AT 41F OR BELOW. COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED
33
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSEVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVD BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINER OF LEMONADE STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND DRINKS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR UNDER FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: BSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
52
Nov 24, 2025
Complaint
3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND LIDS NOT TIGHT-FITTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED
54
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
1
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD (BEEF) PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, FREEZERS, PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVD BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CONTAINER OF LEMONADE STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND DRINKS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
39
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR UNDER FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES OFF FLOOR.
45
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSEVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY HANG MOPS TO DRY TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL EMPLOYEES HANDLING FOOD AND EQUIPMENT MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
50
Jul 2, 2025
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIGHTING INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED MANAGER. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE VALID ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade?
Across the inspection record, “all food employees have food handler training” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade.
Has Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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