Royal Africana Lounge
Last inspected: May 19, 2025
90
Score
Inspectors have visited Royal Africana Lounge five times, with records going back to 2024. On May 19, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to two violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the recurring theme, flagged eight times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Royal Africana Lounge is doing better than most peers. The record reflects steady performance over time.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 19, 2025
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.
43
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
58
90
May 7, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2589090 DATED 02/05/2024 NOT CORRECTED. #47. NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE. #57. MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
60
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 RAT DROPPINGS IN THE MECHANICAL COMPONENT OF UNUSED KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND IN IN REAR STORAGE AREA. ALSO OBSERVED 4 LIVE ROACHES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND DRY STORAGE UNIT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL 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
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED: THROUGHOUT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA, REAR EXIT DOOR AREA AT CUSTOMER WASHROOM, REAR PREP/DISH ROOM.-----DIRTY, UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
58
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.
43
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT ALL FREEZERS AND COOLERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS, FOOD CONTACT SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN NOTED DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP, BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
55
58
Feb 5, 2024
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: : 4-501.12--- NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12---- NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: : 6-101.11--- CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE. 6-201.11---RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13---- MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
57
82
Jan 30, 2024
Reinspection
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used
Inspector notes: NOTED OPEN RODENT BAIT ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COOKS LINE STOVE. MUST REMOVE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.
28
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: STILL OBSERVED 5 TO 10 RAT DROPPING BEHIND THE EQUIPMENT OF THE COOKS LINE AND OVEN, 2 BEHIND REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER, 5 BEHIND THE FRONT CASHIER STATION BOX FREEZER. ALSO LIVE RAT CAUGHT IN TRAP DURING THE REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A).
38
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15--- FRONT EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD AND MISSING RODENT PROOF STRIP. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL AREAS OF THE DOOR.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12--- NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: : 4-601.11(B)--- INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: 5-204.12---- NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11---- NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.---- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST BE REPLACED.----ALL NOTED HOLES IN WALLS MUST BE SEALED. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPEN NOTED HOLES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: : 6-101.11--- CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13---- MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
57
58
Jan 23, 2024
License
3 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 15 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED THE REAR PREP/DISH HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. SINK COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY A BOX FREEZER AND MANY STORED KITCHEN ITEMS ON THE FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND THE SINK. MUST MAKE SINK ACCESSIBLE AND REMOVE ALL STORED ITEMS UNDER AND AROUND THE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING RAT DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: APPROXIMATELY 50 DROPPINGS ALONG THE BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DINING ROOM LEATHER SOFA, 15 TO 20 DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA NEAR THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM, 10 TO 15 DROPPINGS BEHIND BOX FREEZER, COOLER AND COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT, 5 TO 10 DROPPINGS UNDER THE REAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
38
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FRONT EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD AND MISSING RODENT PROOF STRIP. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL AREAS OF THE DOOR.
38
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: ALL POTS, PANS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT, BULK FOOD BUCKETS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. MUST REPLACE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT ALL FREEZERS AND COOLERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD AS LINER UNDER BULK FOOD BUCKETS AND UNDER KITCHEN BOX FREEZERS.----MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS, FOOD CONTACT SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN NOTED DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST REPLACE.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP, BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.---- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST BE REPLACED.----NOTED TWO HOLES IN THE WALL BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DINING ROOM LEATHER SOFA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPEN NOTED HOLES.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED: THROUGHOUT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA, REAR EXIT DOOR AREA AT CUSTOMER WASHROOM, REAR PREP/DISH ROOM.-----DIRTY, UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.
57
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Royal Africana Lounge last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Royal Africana Lounge on file is from May 19, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Royal Africana Lounge?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Royal Africana Lounge.
Has Royal Africana Lounge's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Royal Africana Lounge 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 Royal Africana Lounge means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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