Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant
Last inspected: Jul 2, 2025
86
Score
Across the available record, Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant has 16 inspections on file, the first dated 2010. Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant was last inspected on Jul 2, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 2, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT IN USE NEAR THE ENTRANCE, REAR STORAGE AREAS AND BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF MOP IN THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRTY VENTS IN THE WASHROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
86
Oct 10, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Oct 2, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO HANDWASH SINK IN NEWLY ADDED ON EAST SIDE OF PREMISES WHERE PREP TABLE, STEAM TABLE, FOOD PROCESSOR, CABBAGE SLICER LOCATED AND FOOD HANDLERS ACTIVELY HANDLING FOOD. INSTD TO PROVIDE HANDWASH SINK WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PLUMBING IN SAME AREA. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY FOUNDATION
10
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM DOORS ON EASTSIDE OF PREMISES IN PREP AREA NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTD TO HAVE SELF CLOSING AND MAINTAIN
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR THROUGH OUT PREMISES UNDER/BEHIND ALL EQUIPMENT, SHELVING AND ALONG WALLBASE THROUGH OUT 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT NOT CLEAN, DIRT, DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE CLUTTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT NOTED AT WEST END FRONT OF PREMISES AND IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF ESTABLISHMENT SUCH AS EQUIOMENT THAT IS NON FUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.
55
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: PLASTIC AND ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED AS A LINER FOR STORARGE SHELVES THAT HAVE RUST. INSTD TO REMOVE PLASTIC, FOIL, AND RUST SO AS SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH EVEN AND EASILY CLEANABLE
47
74
May 11, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13- MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
58
95
May 3, 2023
Complaint
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND BASEMENT PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES COOKING CHICKEN OUTSIDE WITH 2 LARGE OVERSIZED BBQ GRILLS IN REAR. EXTENSIVE SMOKE/FUMES NOTED IN SAME AREA FROM GRILLS. COOKING/PREPARING/HANDLING OF ANY FOOD OUTSIDE IS PROHIBITED. INSTD TO REMOVE GRILLS FROM PREMISES AND MAINTAIN. DISCUSSED WITH OWNER COOKING/PREPARING/HANDLING OF ANY FOOD MUST BE FROM INSIDE PREMISES ONLY. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 PRIORITY FOUNDATION
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: CARDBOARD AND PLASTIC LINING NOTED THROUGH OUT PREP AREAS ON STORAGE SHELVES, BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES, AND ROLLING CARTS. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL PLASTIC LINING AND CARDBOARD SO AS SURFACES TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: LEAK AT PIPE UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CARDBOARD LINING NOTED ON ENTIRE SURFACE OF FLOOR IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE CARDBOARD LINING AND MAINTAIN FLOOR AN EVEN, SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGERS. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION ON SITE.
58
67
Feb 28, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: FOUND NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE ALL SUPPLIES NECESSARY FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: THE INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYERS HAVE DIRT AND DEBRIS IN AND ON THE SURFACE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: A LOT OF CLUTTER IN THE SIDE DINING AREA AND BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE CLUTTER AND ORGANIZE AREAS. MAINTAIN CLUTTER FREE AREAS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN ALL CORNERS, UDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE CARDBOARD FROM THE PREP FLOORS AND DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGH OUT. -INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE WALLS AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS TO REMOVE FOOD, DIRT AND GREASE BUILD UP. MAINTAIN ALL.
55
78
Mar 27, 2018
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE TWO TABLE STORAGE SHELVES IN PREP AREA RUSTY, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST.
32
95
Mar 16, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE REAR 2 DOOR FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE COOKING EQUIPMENT EXTERIOR NOT CLEAN, ALSO FRYER, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA, AND UNDER THE COOKING AREA NOTCLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR STORAGE, AND FRONT MENS ROOM, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FACUET IN THE REAR DISH AREA LEAKING, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
38
78
Mar 11, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PERSON WHO HOLDS CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGAER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REACH IN COOLER IN NEED OF REPAIR. TOP NOT SECURE, MUST SECURE AND MAINTAIN. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS IN PREP AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FAUCET AT BASEMENT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN NEED OF REPAIR. LEAKS. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN
38
82
Mar 24, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FRONT COOLER BEHIND THE BAR NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CEILING LIGHT SHIELDS IN WAIT STATION, AND REAR PREP KITCHEN NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
35
90
Apr 9, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND RUSTY GREASE TRAP UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE RUST AND PAINT IT.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ORGANIZE ALL ARTICLES IN REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
86
Apr 1, 2013
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: LIGHTSHIELDS, VENTS, AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
35
95
Apr 11, 2012
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. FLOORS UNDER AND AROUND EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination. ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER AT ALL TIMES. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
43
90
Jun 15, 2011
Complaint
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. FAUCET LEAK AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN NEED OF REPAIR. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. Cleaning equipment shall be properly stored away from food, utensils, equipment, and clean linens. MUST ORGANIZE ALL ARTICLES IN REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. MUST ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
90
Mar 31, 2011
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
95
Jul 20, 2010
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN THE FRYER AND CABINET UNDERNEATH,HOOD,FILTERS,PIPES UNDER THE HOOD,REACH IN COOLER AND REACH IN FREEFER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. THE FLOOR UNDER THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE PREP AREA,STORAGE CLOSET,STORE ROOM AND BASEMENT NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAME.
34
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant on file is from Jul 2, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant.
Has Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Garifuna Flava Caribbean 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 Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Garifuna Flava Caribbean Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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