Ez Shawarma
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2025
64
Score
Inspectors have visited Ez Shawarma seven times, with records going back to 2021. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 3, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” comes up most often, recorded 10 times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2025
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY UNEVEN PAVEMENT ON FLOOR OF WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIT STAINLESS STEEL TILE SURFACES, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED A BOX FROZEN CHICKEN UNDERNEATH THE PREP TABLE. MANAGER STATED THAT THE FISH WAS THERE FOR DEFROSTING. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF DEFROSTING FOOD:- EITHER UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OF INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. PRODUCT WAS STILL FROZEN.
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED BULK FOOD ITEMS STORED INSIDE CONTAINERS AT THE FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
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
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES THROUGH OUT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR THE REFRIGERATION UNIT BY THE STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
64
Sep 19, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13- OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE OF COOKING FRYERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
90
Sep 12, 2024
Complaint
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
36
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 5 LIVE HOUSE FLIES AROUND DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY FROM RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(a). CITATION ISSUED.
38
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED(HUMMUS, CHICKEN). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINK AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY DRY HANDS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARD BOARD BEING USED AS FLOOR LINERS IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE OF COOKING FRYERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER DRAINING VERY SLOWLY AT PREP HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REPAIR.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
55
Jan 4, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEES DRINKING AND PREPARING FOOD AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR EMPLOYEES TO DRINK AND EAT AND NOT AT THE PREP AREAS.
6
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP, STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLER/FREEZERS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF FLOOR.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED TORN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT AT THE KITCHEN PREP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED FOIL PAPER USED TO LINE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKING PIPE AT BOTTOM PIPE OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
74
Jan 20, 2023
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-101.11(B, C, D, E)--OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN- FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12--OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLERS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.15--OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 4-202.18--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD TO REMOVE ACCUMULATIONS OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
82
Jan 18, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT HANDWASHING SINK IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM.(WATER TEMPERATURE AT 70.2 F)AT THIS TIME.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT A HANDWASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE MUST BE PROVIDED OF AT LEAST 100 F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN AS REQUIRED.PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C),CITATION ISSUED.
10
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010,CITATION ISSUED.
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN- FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON TOP OF THE PREP LINE COOLERS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE DISHWASHING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA AND INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN-COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD TO REMOVE ACCUMULATIONS OF GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.
58
61
Oct 20, 2021
License
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
36
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BROKEN DOOR STRIP UNDERNEATH REAR EXIT DOOR.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD AROUND PREP/STORAGE AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REAR OUTSIDE AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS (BUCKET, WOODEN PALLETS, PLYWOOD, METAL GRILL ETC)
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS ON TOP OF WALK IN COOLER AND INSIDE THE OFFICE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS WITH NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
57
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ez Shawarma last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ez Shawarma on file is from Feb 3, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ez Shawarma?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Ez Shawarma.
Has Ez Shawarma's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ez Shawarma have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Ez Shawarma 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 Ez Shawarma inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ez Shawarma is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants