Rafa's Chicken
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
95
Score
Rafa's Chicken appears in inspection records 15 times, starting in 2015. Rafa's Chicken was last inspected on Jan 28, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around two violations lately and about six violations before that.
“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” comes up most often, recorded seven times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average for Chicago sits at 81, putting Rafa's Chicken on the better side of that line. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
15
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON SHELVING IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE TO MAINTAIN SURFACE OF SHELVES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
95
Jan 16, 2025
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: LARGE GARBAGE CANS BEING USED TO STORE RAW CHICKEN IN WALK IN COOLER. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: VENT AND SURROUNDING CEILING TILES IN PREP AREA WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME
55
90
Feb 26, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: MISSING HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT HANDWASH SINK IN PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE SIGNAGE AND MAINTAIN.
10
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: SMALL CUPS BEING USED AS DISPENSING UTENSILS AND BEING STORED IN SPICES. INSTD TO USE PROPER DISPENSING UTENSILS AND STORE PROPERLY
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: RUSTY SURFACE ON BOTTOM SHELF OF PREP TABLE. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN.
47
82
Mar 15, 2023
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTD TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: LARGE GARBAGE CANS BEING USED TO STORE RAW CHICKEN. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
47
90
Mar 13, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IMPROPERLY DRAINING, WASTE WATER WITH FOOD DEBRIS IMMEDIATELY BACKING UP FROM DRAIN ONTO FLOOR WHEN WATER BEING DRAINED (ONE BASIN AT TIME). INSTD TO REPAIR SINK TO DRAIN PROPERLY WITHOUT WASTE WATER BACKING UP AND ACCUMULATING ONTO FLOOR. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C) PRIORITY
52
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTD TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME AND MAINTAIN
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: LARGE GARBAGE CANS BEING USED TO STORE RAW CHICKEN. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
47
78
Jan 24, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 11 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 105.1F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE .MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.MANAGER ADJUSTED THERMOSTATE AND AIR TEMPERATURE IS NOW 135.1F.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)
33
Proper hot holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS SUCH AS APPX. 10LBS.COOKED CHICKEN RANGING FROM 125.7F-126.7F INSIDE OF HOT HOLDING UNIT.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE HOT FOODS AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.APPX. 10LBS. $149.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
21
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN APPX. "1-2" GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF GARAGE DOOR AND IN RIGHT CORNER OF REAR DOOR.MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: MUST INVERT MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON LOWER SHELVES OF PREP TABLES.
44
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR WITH HANDLES IN UPRIGHT POSITION.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE TORN DOOR GASKETS ON BOTH 3- DOOR REACH IN COOLERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FRYER CABINETS,GRILL TABLES, PREP TABLES,3- DOOR REACH IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DIRT BUILD UP ON WALLS IN WALK IN COOLER IN GARAGE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN DINING AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FILTERS AND HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
Miscellaneous / public health orders
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROTOCOL PROCEDURE FOR CHECKING VACCINATIONS IN A PUBLIC PLACE.
64
43
Mar 5, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: REAR BACK DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED. GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: BATHROOM GARBAGE CAN IN NEED OF COVER. INSTRUCTED TO COVER AND MAINTAIN.
53
90
Feb 7, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM 6/19/19 REPORT 2293853: NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED FOR CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND VERIFCATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-42-090 PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
60
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: LARGE GARBAGE CANS BEING USED TO STORE RAW CHICKEN. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS AND ABLE TO SUBMERGE IN BASINS OF 3 SINK.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: WALL NEEDS CLEANING UNDER TOILET TISSUE DISPENSER IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: SEE 60.
58
78
Jun 19, 2019
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
5
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING AVAILABLE. ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
70
Jan 17, 2018
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE PANEL WITH SLIGHT BUILD UP. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA
41
90
Jan 12, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: HOT HOLDING UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION, INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE OF 132.1F. INSTD NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND REINSPECTED BY CDOH VIOLATION 7-38-005A CRITICAL.
2
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE PANEL WITH SLIGHT BUILD UP. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: PERSONAL BELONGINGS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTD TO STORE IN DESIGNATED AREA.
41
86
Jan 20, 2017
Complaint
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS AND OTHER FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE #10 CAN OPENER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN FRONT STORAGE AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
35
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM DOOR THAT OPENS INTO THE PREP AREA IS NOT SELF CLOSING. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE.
37
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
45
78
Dec 29, 2016
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS AND OTHER FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.
32
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM DOOR THAT OPENS INTO THE PREP AREA IS NOT SELF-CLOSING. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE.
37
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE.
45
86
Apr 5, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT SHIELD NEEDED IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
36
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZED CONTAINER. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
43
90
Apr 28, 2015
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON REAR MOP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. (PHOTO GIVEN)
38
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rafa's Chicken last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rafa's Chicken on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains 15 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rafa's Chicken?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Rafa's Chicken.
Has Rafa's Chicken's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Rafa's Chicken have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Rafa's Chicken 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 Rafa's Chicken inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rafa's Chicken is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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