Falafel Grill
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
95
Score
Inspectors have visited Falafel Grill 10 times, with records going back to 2020. On Mar 18, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly seven violations before.
“Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing eight times across the record.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES PROVIDED FOR THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
95
Apr 29, 2025
Complaint
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW WOOD SHELVING BEING USED AS MEANS OF ELEVATION IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED THAT RAW WOOD MUST BE NON-ABSORBENT PAINTED OR SEAL AT ALL TIMES.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT ENCRUSTED WITH GRASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS A LINER FOR COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT KITVHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE SURFACES.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLOW LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIRED AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNCER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA AND REAR PREP AREA/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS COVERS IN THE REAR KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS STORED ON MILK CRATES. MUST STORE ITEMS IN APPROVED SHELVING AT ALL TIMES AND REMOVE MILK CRATES FROM PREMISES TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE LIGHT BULB OFF IN REAR PREP/FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST REPLCE BULB AND MAINTAIN INTENSITY LIGHTING.
56
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME FROM ALL ITEMS REMOVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER. OBSERVED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES AND PREP COOLERS IN FRONT AND REAR FOOD PREP AREAS. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOPS STORED IN DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE ALL SCOOPS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
43
61
Feb 27, 2025
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jan 23, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE SHELVING AND BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA/DISHWASHING AREA MUST REPAINT REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Jan 14, 2025
Complaint
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2602174 ON 09/04/2024 #16. NOTED SOME UPPER PORTIONS AND EXTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #37. ALL GRAB AND GO PRE-PACKAGED PREPARED FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME, LIST OF INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. #40. ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITH FACIAL HAIR MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE BEARD RESTRAINTS. #41. ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE. #45. ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE 2ND FLR. DRY STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS. MUST NOT USE TINFOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING. #49. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING. MUST BE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE SURFACE. #49 INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF PREP AREA BLENDERS WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #55. MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER. FLOORS INSIDE THE WALKIN FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD SPILLAGE. FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE 2ND FLR. DRY STORAGE WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. #58. ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTY STORAGE SHELVING AND BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA/DISHWASHING AREA MUST REPAINT REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: NOTED EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP ON SIDES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF FOOD AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BROKEN AND MISSING FLOOR TILES NEXT TO MOP SINK IN REAR OF PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN FACILITY IN A GOOD REPAIR.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
Sep 4, 2024
Routine
12 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
41
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED SOME UPPER PORTIONS AND EXTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL GRAB AND GO PRE-PACKAGED PREPARED FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT NAME, LIST OF INGREDIENTS, BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE THE DIRTY MOP BUCKET WITH SOILED MOP HEADS DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE ICE MACHINE AND OTHER FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT. MUST STORE INSIDE THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK WHEN NOT IN USE OR IN A DESIGNATED CLEANING TOOL SEPARATE AREA.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS WITH FACIAL HAIR MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE BEARD RESTRAINTS.
40
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: NOTED KNIVES BEING IMPROPERLY STORED BETWEEN THE PREP TABLE AND PREP COOLER. MUST PROPERLY STORE ON A CLEAN SURFACE OR IN A PROPER KNIFE HOLDER.---NOTED THE TABLE TOP CAN OPENER WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS AND EXCESSIVE RUST. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE, REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY INCLUDING THE 2ND FLR. DRY STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE PLASTIC WRAP AS A HOOK OR MEANS OF REPAIR AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK FOR THE ATTACHED HOSE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF PREP AREA BLENDERS WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TINFOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING.---MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING. MUST BE A SMOOTH CLEANABLE SURFACE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER. ----FLOORS INSIDE THE WALKIN FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD SPILLAGE.----FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE 2ND FLR. DRY STORAGE WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES.
58
55
Oct 30, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH GREASE ON TOP OF CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN GREASE CONTAINER AND ITS SURROUNDING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.
54
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED THAT THE INNER LINING OF THE ICE MACHINE WAS NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS HANGING AT THE HANDWASHING SINK OF THE FRONT PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION, ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
78
Oct 28, 2022
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO BULK DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED WITH THE FOOD ITEMS COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS THAT ARE NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND MAINTAIN.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREPARED SALADS IN A COLD HOLDING UNIT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT COVERED AND STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. THE SALADS WERE TOUCHING THE TOP OF THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO COVER ALL SAID SALADS AND MAINTAIN.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS (RICE) BUILD UP UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT (RICE HOT HOLDING UNIT, SOUP HOT HOLDING UNIT, AND BREAD GRILL) NEAR THE WINDOW IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE OUTDOOR GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH GREASE BUILD-UP AND GREASE DROPLETS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID GREASE RECEPTACLE.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD BUILD-UP ALL THROUGHOUT THIS AREA. ESPECIALLY FOOD EMBEDDED IN THE NON-SLIP MATS, ON THE WINDOW SILL, AND BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FLOORS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT DUST BUILDUP AT THE FAR LEFT END ON THE FILTERS OF THE VENTILATION HOOD IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID FILTERS.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING BY THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
57
70
May 3, 2021
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON-SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
3
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 NAMES, INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
37
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED WASHROOM ON-PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLE AND NO LID. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASHROOMS AND UNISEX WASHROOMS.
53
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
78
Oct 27, 2020
License
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ARE REQUIRED TO BE SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST KEEP ON SITE. SAMPLE POLICY GIVEN TO MANAGER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTTOM GRATE OF REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP IN DISREPAIR. REATTACH AND MAINTAIN.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTTOM GRATE OF REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP UNCLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Falafel Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Falafel Grill on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Falafel Grill?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Falafel Grill.
Has Falafel Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Falafel Grill have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Falafel Grill 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 Falafel Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Falafel Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.
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