Maman Zari
Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025
50
Score
Maman Zari appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 8, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around eight violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surfaces”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Maman Zari trails the local norm. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 8, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 22 LBS OF CHICKEN AND BEEF IN REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN A REACH-IN COOLER. CHICKEN AT 48.3F, BEEF AT 46.2F. ALL DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
22
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NOTED DISHWASHER WASHING UTENSILS/DISHES WITH NO SANITIZER IN THE FINAL RINSE BASIN OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WHILE SINK WAS SET. INSTRUCTED TO REWASH ALL DISHWARE/UTENSILS AND PROPERLY SET WITH THE QUATERNARY SANITIZER ON SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: FACILITY IS PRACTICING REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING OF ALL FOODS INCLUDING MEATS. NO TEMPERATURE LOGS PROVIDED FOR ALL OF OCTOBER FOR ANY FOODS. BEEF FOUND IN R.O.P WITH OUT DATES/TIMES AND ALSO FOUND UNDER REFRIGERATION AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. ALL DISCARDED. REVIEWED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR R.O.P. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
29
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ICE MACHINE AT THE ICE SHOOT WITH BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE DRIPPING DOWN INTO THE ICE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL BLACK SUBSTANCE, SANITIZE ALL ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: SEE VIOLATION #29 FOR VIOLATION AND CITATION.
32
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR STORED ITEMS IN THE MOP SINK ROOM.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE DISH WASHING MACHINE DIRTY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----NOTED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE ICE MACHINE AND IN THE MOP SINK ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
58
50
Jun 5, 2024
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
May 29, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MAKER,DRIPPING INTO ICE "ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION".INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
16
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE STORED IN THE KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA AND VACUUM PACKAGED COOKED FOOD ITEMS (EGG PLANT, CHICKEN,GREEN BEAN SAUCE,AND RED & GREEN SAUCES) STORED IN THE FREEZER WITHOUT CDPH REVIEW AND APPROVED HACCP PLAN.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO HAVE AN APPROVED HACCP PLAN BEFORE VACUUM PACKAGING ANY FOODS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.
29
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CDPH APPROVED HACCP PLAN ON THE PREMISES TO VACUUM PACKAGE FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AN APPROVED HACCP PLAN BEFORE VACUUM PACKAGING ANY FOODS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.SEE VIOLATION #29 FOR CITATION.
32
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND WATER LEAK AT MANUAL LEVER SINK STOPPER UNDERNEATH THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT AT SAID SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAKS AND MAINTAIN.
51
70
May 23, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: 5-501.17-OBSERVED GENERAL PUBLIC TOILET ROOM WITH NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
95
May 18, 2023
License
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR HOT WATER DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
48
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HOLES AROUND PIPES IN CEILING IN STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL HOLES IN CELING.
55
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 1 TOILET ROOM WITH NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Maman Zari last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Maman Zari on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Maman Zari?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Maman Zari.
Has Maman Zari's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Maman Zari have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Maman Zari means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Maman Zari inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Maman Zari is inspected around two times per year on average.
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