Mehrab Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 24, 2025
67
Score
Across the available record, Mehrab Restaurant has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2021. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 24, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around nine violations per visit versus roughly six violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “non-food/food contact surfaces clean”, which has been cited 12 times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 24, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (COOKED RICE, COOKED CHIC PEAS, ETC.) ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
2
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: SOME PREP ARE COOLERS MISSING THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE WORKING THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.
36
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED INTERIOR IN ALL PREP COOLER AND FREEZER CHESTS LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE BUILD UP ON REAR OF WALK IN COOLER CONDENSER. MUST REMOVE ALL ICE BUILD UP ON WALK IN COOLER CONDENSER AND MAINTAIN.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: REAR STORAGE AREA HANDWASH SINK COLD WATER HANDLE STRIPPED ALSO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MISSING STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAID HANDWASH SINK AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP ON WALL BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
May 2, 2024
Reinspection
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: IN USE CLEAN UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED.CLEAN AND DIRTY MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED INSIDE ALUMINUM CONTAINER ON TOP PREP TABLE WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE SAID UTENSILS.STORE CLEAN UTENSILS DIRTY UTENSILS MUST BE STORED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
43
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.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SOME CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTS,MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARDS
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING THROUGHOUT MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED, SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE,INCLUDED FRONT COUNTER AT SERVING AREA
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPAIR BRONKEN WALLS AND FLOORS IN PREP AND REAR STORAGE AREA.SEAL HOLES UNDER SHELVES
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DEBRIS ,GREASE,FOOD ON FLOOR THROIGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREA.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: LIGHT FIXTURE IN PREP AREA BROKEN. REPAIR ISSUE.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
57
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME
37
64
Apr 25, 2024
Reinspection
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 8 LIVE ROACHES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY: 4 ON THE WALLS IN THE REAR PREPARATION AND 4 BEHIND THE PREPARATION COOLERS IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN AREAS. ELIMINATE ALL ROACH ACTIVITY. RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL SERVICE BY PEST CONTROL COMPANY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-020(a). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT IS REQUIRED FROM EVERYONE ENTERING IN PREP AREA
40
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: IN USE CLEAN UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED.CLEAN AND DIRTY MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED INSIDE ALUMINUM CONTAINER ON TOP PREP TABLE WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE SAID UTENSILS.STORE CLEAN UTENSILS DIRTY UTENSILS MUST BE STORED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
43
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.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SOME CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTS,MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARDS
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS, UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND COOKING LINE.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. COOLERS UNIT MUST CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING THROUGHOUT MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED, SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE,INCLUDED FRONT COUNTER AT SERVING AREA
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DEBRIS ,GREASE,FOOD ON FLOOR THROIGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREA.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPAIR BRONKEN WALLS AND FLOORS IN PREP AND REAR STORAGE AREA.SEAL HOLES UNDER SHELVES
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: LIGHT FIXTURE IN PREP AREA BROKEN. REPAIR ISSUE.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
57
52
Apr 15, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Hands clean & properly washed
Inspector notes: NO HANDWASHING AFTER HANDLING NON-FOOD ITEMS.OBSERVED LADY EMPLOYEE HANDLING CASH REGISTER AT FRONT AREA,THEN COMBACK TO KITCHEN GLOVED HANDS AND HANDLE READY TO EAT FOOD: BREAD,OTHER EMPLOYEE ADJUST ITEMS AT REAR AREA,WASHED DIRTY POTS AND WITHOUT HAND WASHING GLOVED HANDS AND HELPED IN THE KITCHEN.MUST WASH HAND EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-010,CITATION ISSUED
8
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: HANDWASHING SINK AT REAR PREP AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE. INSIDE WAS STORED DIRTY SPONGES AND BIG POTS IN FRONT OF SINK.SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIME FOR PROPER HANDWASHING.MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-030(C) "CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION"
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED OVER 80 MICE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY:ON SHELVES BY THE FOOD,ON FLOORS,REAR STORAGE AREA ETC. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NO SOAP PROVIDED AT BOTH HANDWASHING SINK IN PREP AREA.UPON MY RETURN ON 4-16-2024 MANAGER PROVIDED SOAP ON BOTH HANDWASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-030(C).CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT IS REQUIRED FROM EVERYONE ENTERING IN PREP AREA
40
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: IN USE CLEAN UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED.CLEAN AND DIRTY MULTI USE UTENSILS STORED INSIDE ALUMINUM CONTAINER ON TOP PREP TABLE WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE SAID UTENSILS.STORE CLEAN UTENSILS DIRTY UTENSILS MUST BE STORED AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
43
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.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: SOME CUTTING BOARDS IN THE KITCHEN WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP CUTS,MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE SAID CUTTING BOARDS
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS, UTILITY CONNECTIONS AND EQUIPMENT SURFACES BEHIND COOKING LINE.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. COOLERS UNIT MUST CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR,EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING THROUGHOUT MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED, SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE,INCLUDED FRONT COUNTER AT SERVING AREA
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: REPAIR BRONKEN WALLS AND FLOORS IN PREP AND REAR STORAGE AREA.SEAL HOLES UNDER SHELVES
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: DEBRIS ,GREASE,FOOD ON FLOOR THROIGHOUT THE PREP AND STORAGE AREA.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: LIGHT FIXTURE IN PREP AREA BROKEN .REPAIR ISSUE.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
57
37
Feb 9, 2023
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 1, 2023
Complaint
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 4 LIVE ROACHES AT PREMISES BEHIND REACH IN COOLER.PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED.7-38-020A. MUST ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY AND NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR.
38
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN:COOKING EQUIPMENT, INTERIOR OF COOLERS, COUNTERS, AND SHELVING UNITS.MUST CLEAN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT PREPARATION AREAS.MUST CLEAN.
55
82
May 26, 2022
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED INTERIOR IN ALL PREP COOLER AND FREEZER CHESTS LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME GREASE BUILD UP ON SURFACE OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STORAGE IN REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA WITH CLUTTER AND UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNUSED ITEMS AND KEEP ITEMS ELVEATED OFF OF FLOORS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
May 19, 2022
Complaint
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25 MICE DROPPINGS IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA, ON THE BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES, AND BEHIND THE PREP COOLER LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN SURFACES, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES FREE OF PEST. RECOMMENDED RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FREEZER AND WALK -IN COOLER LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE BAGS OR CONTAINERS TO STORE FOOD ITEMS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED INTERIOR IN ALL PREP COOLER AND FREEZER CHESTS LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME GREASE BUILD UP ON SURFACE OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
49
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STORAGE REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA WITH CLUTTER AND UNUSED ITEMS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNUSED ITEMS AND KEEP ITEMS ELVEATED OFF OF FLOORS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
55
67
Mar 22, 2021
License
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE.
10
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MINOR LEAK AT FAUCET AND AT PIPE BELOW 2-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR. MUST REPAIR.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LID ON TRASH CAN IN EMPLOYEE BATHROOM LOCATED IN PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE.
53
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mehrab Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mehrab Restaurant on file is from Feb 24, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mehrab Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited 12 times, more than any other issue at Mehrab Restaurant.
Has Mehrab Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Mehrab Restaurant have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mehrab Restaurant 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 Mehrab Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mehrab Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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