Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Last inspected: Sep 2, 2025
100
Score
Going back to 2018, Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! has eight inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 2, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around four violations per visit lately, up from roughly one violation before.
“Food-contact surfaces” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!'s latest score of 100 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 2, 2025
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 26, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MAKER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA, DRIPPING INTO ICE "ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION". INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MAKER CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
16
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN TOP SURFACES OF THE REAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE TO REMOVE LOOSE DRIED UP DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT COFFEE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LITTER DEBRIS ON GROUND FLOOR SURROUNDING THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE COMPACTOR.INSTRUCTED TO BETTER MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE REFUSE ENCLOSURE AREA.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING ALONG THE REAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE.MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED RUST SURFACES ON WALL ALONG THE FRONT PREP LINE COOLERS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE RUSTS SO THAT WALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
55
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GAP OPENING APPROX 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF REAR BASEMENT EXIT DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FIRST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
47
67
Aug 27, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENTED AN INVALID COPY OF CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY MUST HAVE A PERSON ON SITE WITH AN VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK AND PINK MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE ON LOWER AREA OF STAINLESS STEEL SHIELD NEAR HOLES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNCOVERED CONTAINERS OF KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS ON SHELF NEAR DINING AREA. CORRECTED ON SITE COVER PLACED ON CONTAINERS OF KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS ON SHELF NEAR DINING AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
44
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT ACROSS FROM COOKLINE. OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BLACK BUILDUP ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA. OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA AND EASTSIDE DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR TWO EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
58
70
Jun 22, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 15, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE THERMOMETER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
48
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED NEXT TO ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
10
86
Oct 1, 2020
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 4, 2019
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: CLEAR DELI CUPS CONTAINERS NOT AIR DRIED AFTER WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO AIR DRY BEFORE STACKING.
44
95
Jul 26, 2018
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO DOCUMENTATION OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION ON SITE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLETION ON SITE.
57
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! on file is from Sep 2, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!.
Has Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!'s inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! 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 Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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