Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen
Last inspected: Aug 7, 2025
64
Score
Across the available record, Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2017. The latest inspection on file is from Aug 7, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded nine times.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 7, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOODS WITHOUT A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE. A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARRIVED AT 12:10 PM. BUSINESS OPENED AT 7 AM. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENTED LETTER OF PROOF OF ENROLLMENT IN A FOODSERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS CERTIFICATION COURSE DATED OCTOBER 1,2021. THEN CALLED A CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER FROM NEIGHBORING RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT TO PRESENT THEIR CERTIFICATE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE, AND THE NAMED CERTIFIED MANAGER SHALL BE ON SITE DURING ALL TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING, AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED
2
Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HANDSINK IN REAR ICE MACHINE/ SUPPLY STORAGE ROOM WITH NO AVAILABLE COLD WATER AND HANDSINK IN DISHROOM WITH NO AVAILABLE COLD AND HOT WATER. EMPLOYEE TURNED SHUT-OFF VALVE ON DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
50
Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING
1
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NOTED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN COFFEE MACHINE AND HANDSINK IN AT COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: NOTED WHITE AND BLUE WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLE AT COFFEE STATION AND ON CUTTING BOARD IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS IN PROPER SANITIZING BUCKETS WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USE.
41
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED GROUNDS SURROUNDING GREASE DUMPSTER WITH TRASH AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN AREA.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED CLUTTER IN ICE MACHINE/SUPPLY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS. ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR OR TOP OF CRATES. ALL KEPT ITEMS ARE TO BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOOR AND STORED ON PROPER SHELVING.
55
64
Dec 4, 2024
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN UNDER AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.MUST CLEAN.
55
95
Oct 4, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPED AND PEELING PAINT ON THE CEILING TILES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND DISH WASHING AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE AFFECTED CEILING TILES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
90
Nov 1, 2022
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE DEEP FRYER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-304.11 THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAN.
56
90
Oct 25, 2022
Routine
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: NO SANITIZER WAS DETECTED AT THE FINAL RINSE AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE MACHINE WITH A FINAL RINSE OF 100PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025.
16
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46F BEING USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHEESE AND COOKED VEGETABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE PREP COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
33
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE GRILL. OBSERVED CHEESE AT 44.8F, COOKED POTATOES AT 44.5F AND MAYONNAISE AT 45.1F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2 LIVE COCKROACHES ON THE FLOOR AND WALL IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT:"THESE ITEMS MAY BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
25
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A LIGHT SHIELD MISSING FROM THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA.
56
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEAD INSECTS ON THE STORAGE SHELF AND ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD INSECTS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL ISSUES.
38
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FAN.
56
43
Nov 5, 2021
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SLIGHT PINK BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
16
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: SOME PREP AREA COOLERS MISSING THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE WORKING THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.
36
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DUST BUILD UP ON SOME PREP AREA COOLERS CONDENSERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLERS CONDENSERS.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT/GRIME BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA AND BAR AREA FLOOR DRAINS. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Sep 3, 2020
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE WAS PROVIDED IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM DOOR LACKS A SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT IN THE CEILING TILE NEXT TO THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TILE OR SCRAPE AND REPAINT IT.
55
86
Nov 22, 2019
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: Violation Codes: 3-307.11 Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND NEXT TO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR AREA.
39
95
Nov 15, 2019
Routine
6 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA NOT ACCESSIBLE.OBSERVED A LARGE TRAY AND STRAINER INSIDE AND ON TOP OF SINK WHILE DISH MACHINE WAS IN USE.ARTICLES WERE REMOVED.MUST KEEP ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.(COS)(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.SOAP WAS PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION.MUST KEEP MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION-PRIORITY FOUNDATION)
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.PAPER TOWELS ARE NOW PROVIDED.MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.(CONSOLIDATED VIOLATION-PRIORITY FOUNDATION)
10
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LAST DATE USED MARKINGS ON 90-DAY SHELL FISH TAGS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
14
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME TCS READY TO EAT FOODS NOT DATE MARKED THAT ARE HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS INSIDE OF COOLERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-NO CITATION ISSUED)
23
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAFF TOILET IN POOR REPAIR.OBSERVED NO HANDLE TO FLUSH TOILET.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE STAFF USE ADDITIONAL TOILETS ON SITE.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
53
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT SOME HAND SINKS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2-3/4" GAP AT SLIDING WINDOWS IN DINING AREA,GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF REAR AND SIDE DOORS.MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND NEXT TO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR AREA.
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM WALK IN COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS AND GRILL TABLE.
49
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE DAMAGED TOILET SEAT IN STAFF TOILET ROOM.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLES IN WALL PANELS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS,DAMAGED WALL AND MISSING WALL BASE AT CASHIER STATION,DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN STAFF TOILET ROOM,LOOSE WALL BASE NEXT TO PIZZA OVEN,MISSING WALL BASE IN 1ST. FL. WALK IN COOLER.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOOR IN BAR AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION IN STAFF TOILET ROOM.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA.
56
33
May 1, 2018
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: In the 2 door prep cooler near the front service window found food at improper temperatures: 3lbs of cooked meatballs at 51.8f and 4lbs of deli meats (salami and mortadella) at 45.4f. Instructed facility to maintain all potentially hazardous foods at 40f or below or 140f or above. Operator voluntarily discarded and denatured said food valued at $23. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
3
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed the kitchen floors and floor drains to be dirty. Instructed facility to clean floors throughout including under and around all equipment and along wall bases and maintain.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Instructed facility to install an exposed hand sink in the rear bar storage/syrup room adjacent to the three compartment sink. Must maintain hot and cold running water under city pressure, soap, and paper towels.
38
86
Oct 24, 2017
License
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO RE-GROUT FLOOR IN FRONT KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.MUST MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR INSIDE AND AROUND MOP SINK LOCATED INSIDE UTILITY ROOM AND MUST MAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A FEW MISSING CEILING TILES INSIDE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PLUMBER'S PUTTY AROUND THE DRAINS OF ALL SINKS. MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN. VENTILATION NOT WORKING INSIDE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE STEAM THERMOMETER TO MONITOR FOOD TEMPERATURES.
40
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen on file is from Aug 7, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen.
Has Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen 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 Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Saba Italian Bar & Kitchen is inspected roughly once per year on average.
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