Cairo Kebab

730 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60607
Greek / Mediterranean
Last inspected: Aug 18, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk

Cairo Kebab has been inspected five times since 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 18, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around six violations compared to roughly eight violations earlier on.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, showing up eight times.

By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Cairo Kebab on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 18, 2025
Reinspection
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE STOVE AND CONVECTION OVEN, AND LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE CEILING TILES IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 NO VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED FOR THE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
74
Aug 13, 2025
Reinspection
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Previous priority foundation violation corrected
Inspector notes: 8-404.13(B)(3) PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #60 FROM REPORT #2621832 ON 8/6/25 NOT CORRECTED: 60 - PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2598689 ON 8/6/24 NOT CORRECTED: 55 - 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. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
59
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE DEEP FRYER INSIDE AND OUT, PREP TABLES, STOVE AND CONVECTION OVENS, STORAGE SHELVES, LIGHT SHIELDS, AND HOT HOLDING UNITS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. CLEAN THE CEILING TILES IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 NO VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED FOR THE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
67
Aug 6, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2598689 ON 8/6/24 NOT CORRECTED: 40 - OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. 41 - 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. 55 - 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. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROX. 25 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS, CEILING, AND STORAGE SHELVES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HEAVY RUST ACCUMULATION ON THE WIRE STORAGE RACKS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE THE STORAGE RACKS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE DEEP FRYER INSIDE AND OUT, PREP TABLES, STOVE AND CONVECTION OVENS, STORAGE SHELVES, LIGHT SHIELDS, AMD HOT HOLDING UNITS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE DRAIN LINE BENEATH THE SPRAYER SINK NEXT TO THE DISH MACHINE. REPAIR THE LEAKING WATER VALVES BENEATH THE SPRAYER SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE GREASE FROM THE WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. CLEAN THE FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. CLEAN THE HEAVY MOLD GROWTH ACCUMULATED ON THE WALL BENEATH THE SPRAYER SINK. CLEAN THE CEILING TILES IN THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD ABOVE THE COOLERS IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES WERE PROVIDED FOR THE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
55
Aug 6, 2024
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: 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.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 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.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: 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.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: NOTED THE INTERIOR OF THE REACH-IN COOLERS AND REFRIGERATORS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 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.
55
70
Aug 31, 2023
License
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 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.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 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.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS LOCATED IN THE COFFEE STATION AND FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 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.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MISSING CEILING PANELS THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN THE CEILING OF THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 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.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 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.
58
61

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cairo Kebab last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cairo Kebab on file is from Aug 18, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cairo Kebab?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Cairo Kebab.

Has Cairo Kebab's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Cairo Kebab have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cairo Kebab means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Cairo Kebab inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cairo Kebab is inspected around three times per year on average.