Savanna Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 11, 2025
86
Score
Going back to 2016, Savanna Restaurant has 13 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 11, 2025. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around five violations to closer to two violations per visit over the last few inspections.
“Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing 10 times across the record.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Savanna Restaurant is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 11, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS BEING STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER IN REAR. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES FROM FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS LINER ON STORAGE RACKS IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
55
86
Dec 12, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DUST BUILDUP ON THE FLOORS, WALLS AND IN CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS, WALLS, AND IN ALL CORNERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
55
90
Mar 6, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 27, 2023
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAINT METAL RACKS WITH RUST ACCUMULATION INSIDE PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN, PREP SHELVES AND THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF (2) GREASE BOX IN THE DISHWASHING AREA.
47
95
Apr 20, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL HANDSINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH HAND SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE ADJACENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO REAR DISHWASHING AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C)
10
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: FOUND INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
25
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLDLIKE BUILD UP INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT MOPSINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT IT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALL WITH EXCESSIVE SPILLAGE IN THE COOKING AREA AND WALL BEHIND GREASE BOX UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL HOLES ON WALL AROUND DISHWASHING AREA.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE HEAVY WATER STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE BAR.
55
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE BEHIND UPPER PANEL.
16
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REPAINT METAL RACKS WITH RUST ACCUMULATION INSIDE PREP COOLER IN THE KITCHEN, PREP SHELVES AND THE EXTERIOR SURFACES OF (2) GREASE BOX IN THE DISHWASHING AREA.
47
58
Apr 4, 2022
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: 6-202.15--OBSERVED THE REAR WEST SIDE DOOR WITH GAP OPENING APPROX:1/4" AT BOTTOM OF DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-201.11--OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-602.13-- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 4-202.18--INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13--OBSERVED SOME EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN CURRENT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES.
57
78
Mar 29, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH WASHING MACHINE AT IMPROPER FINAL SANITIZING RINSE AT 0 PPM CHLORINE CONCENTRATION. (DISHMACHINE IS IN USE AT THIS TIME). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. A MECHANICAL DISHWASHING MACHINES SHOULD PROVIDE A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF EITHER 50 ? 100 PPM CHLORINE (FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZING MACHINE) OR 180F FINAL RINSE (FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING MACHINE). DISHMACHINE TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION". INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED (SEE COMMENTS BELOW). PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025,CITATION ISSUED (COS).
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE REAR WEST SIDE DOOR WITH GAP OPENING APPROX:1/4" AT BOTTOM OF DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DEATIL CLEAN KITCHEN EXHAUST HOOD/FILTERS TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD-UP AND MAINTAIN.
56
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN CURRENT FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES.
57
67
Nov 13, 2020
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MISSING LID FOR THE ICE BIN BEHIND THE BAR. MUST REPLACE/PROVIDE.----- MUST NOT USE PLASTIC MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION OR SHELVING FOR FOODS IN THE REAR STORAGE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: RAW WOODEN WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER MUST BE SEALED TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE WITH A FOOD GRADE MATERIAL.----SAME FRY SLICER NOTED NOT IN USE WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST PROPERLY CLEAN AFTER USE.----- ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING IN THE SERVER STATION AREA MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.----DAMAGED, CHIPPING WOODEN SHELVING ABOVE THE COOKS LINE PREP COOLER AND DAMAGED COUNTERTOP SURROUNDING THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE SERVER STATION. ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
86
Nov 5, 2020
Routine
1 major violation. 12 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM INSPECTION #2244205 ON 1-9-19 NOT CORRECTED. #51- NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE AND ESPRESSO WATER LINES.#58- NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.
60
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: INTERIOR ICE MACHINE BIN AND UPPER WATER RESERVOIR IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE AN INTERNAL THERMOMETER IN THE BAR SMALL COOLER.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: COOK NOTED WITHOUT HAT/HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
40
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: WIPING CLOTHS THROUGHOUT MUST BE HELD IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USE.
41
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: ALL CLEAN POTS, PANS, BOWLS MUST BE STORED INVERTED.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: KITCHEN TALL REACH-IN COOLER DOOR HANDLE BROKEN AND REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. MUST REPLACE HANDLE/PROPERLY REPAIR.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MISSING LID FOR THE ICE BIN BEHIND THE BAR. MUST REPLACE/PROVIDE.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE PLASTIC MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION OR SHELVING FOR FOODS IN THE REAR STORAGE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: ALL RAW WOODEN SHELVING IN THE SERVER STATION AREA MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.----DAMAGED, CHIPPING WOODEN SHELVING ABOVE THE COOKS LINE PREP COOLER AND DAMAGED COUNTERTOPS SURROUNDING THE HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE SERVER STATION AND THE BAR MUST BE REPLACED/REPAIRED. NO DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR. ALL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: RAW WOODEN WALL MOUNTED FRY SLICER MUST BE SEALED TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE WITH A FOOD GRADE MATERIAL.----SAME FRY SLICER NOTED NOT IN USE WITH ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST PROPERLY CLEAN AFTER USE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE GREASE ON THE WALLS AND CEILING TO THE RIGHT OF THE COOKS LINE EXHAUST HOOD. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
50
Jan 9, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: METAL STEM THERMOMETER NOT CALIBRATED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS AND KEEP ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER REFIRGERATED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD GREATER THAN 24 HOURS MUST HAVE SELL BY DATE ON LABEL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY ON MENUS/TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY WITH DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON MENUS OR ON TABLE TENTS/PLACARDS ON ALL TABLES.
25
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: 2-COMPARTMENT SINK RIGHT SIDE COMPARTMENT PIPE LEAKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
48
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE AND ESPRESSO WATER LINES.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES.
58
52
Aug 24, 2017
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PREP AREA REACH IN 2-DOOR COOLERS (ALONG COOKING LINE) DOOR RUBBER GASKETS RIPPED ALSO OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE BLACK 1-DOOR REACH IN COOLER CONDENSER. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE COOLERS DAMAGED DOOR RUBBER GASKETS AND REMOVE ICE BUILD UP INSIDE COOLER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND DISHWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN WALL AND MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE CRACKED CEILING LIGHT COVER ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING LIGHT COVER.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAKE VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTH PLASTIC ICE SCOOPS IMPROPERLY STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. MUST PROVIDE CLEAN CONTAINER FOR ICE SCOOPS.
43
74
Dec 14, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY DATE AND LABEL ALL FOODS NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING AT ALL TIMES. FOUND SAUCES, PREPARED AND COOKED FOODS AND RAW FOODS INSIDE FOOD CONTAINERS IN ALL REFRIGERATORS, WALK-IN COOLER, AND COLD HOLDING UNITS NOT PROPERLY DATED OR LABELED.MUST PROVIDE.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL FROM THE SHELVING RACK NEXT TO THE KITCHEN HAND SINK SO AS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
32
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE NEW FOOD SERVERS AND FOOD PREP STAFF WITH THEIR IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATION AT ALL TIMES.
45
86
Jul 13, 2016
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST PAINT/SEAL RAW WOOD UNDER THE STAIRCASE RAILING LEADING TO THE BASEMENT AT THE WALL ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. MUST SEAL HOLES AROUND DOOR FRAME LEADING TO THE BASEMENT (INTERIOR SIDE OF THE DOOR FRAME).
35
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Savanna Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Savanna Restaurant on file is from Apr 11, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Savanna Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Savanna Restaurant.
Has Savanna Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Savanna Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Savanna Restaurant 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 Savanna Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Savanna Restaurant is inspected roughly once per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants