Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe
Last inspected: Sep 17, 2025
86
Score
Inspectors have visited Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe 13 times, with records going back to 2017. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 17, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
Looking across the full record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” is the recurring theme, flagged eight times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 17, 2025
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WITH CALCIUM BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FILTERS ABOVE GRIDDLE AREA WITH DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
56
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LARGE KETTLES WHICH CANNOT BE MOVED TO DISH WASHING FACILITIES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WRITTEN CLEAN IN PLACE PROCEEDURE FOR WASHING RINSING, AND SANITIZING KETTLES.
47
86
Dec 16, 2024
Complaint
No violations found.
100
May 22, 2024
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO LINE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT DRIP PANS THROUGHOUT THE FRONT SERVICE LINE AND REAR MAIN COOK LINE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COMPRESSORS OF SEVERAL COLD-HOLDING UNITS THROUGHOUT FRONT SERVICE AREA AND REAR KITCHEN AREA TO BE SOILED WITH DUST AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOOR DRAIN BENEATH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE WAREWASHING AREA TO BE SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND FLOOR DRAINS AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COOKED MEATLOAF IN WALK-IN COOLER #4 STORED COVERED BY FOOD-GRADE PLASTIC WRAP WHILE COOLING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP AND STORE FOOD PARTIALLY-COVERED OR UNCOVERED (IF PROTECTED FROM OVERHEAD CONTAMINATION) WHILE COOLING AND MAINTAIN.
33
82
Aug 28, 2023
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ROLLING CARTS IN STORAGE CLOSETS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, REFRIGERATION UNITS, SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS OF ALL WALK IN COOLERS AND INSIDE OF STORAGE ROOM UNDER CART WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE
55
90
Aug 21, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING COLD TCS FOODS @IMPROPER TEMPERATURES DURING TIME OF INSPECTION... APPROXIMATELY 3 LBS TUNA @55.0F, 3 LBS SLICED TOMATOES @ 46.0F,4 LBS SLICED DELI MEAT 52.0F, 1.5 LBS OF HUMMUS @49.0F, 1.5 LBS GUACAMOLE @51.0F, 1.5 LBS OF SLICED CHEESE @47.9F, 3 LBS COUS COUS @50.0F, 3 LBS COOKED CHICKEN @ 47.8, AND APPROXIMATELY 13 LBS OF PREPARED DELI SANDWICHES RANGING BETWEEN 49.0F- 55.6F. ALL FOOD ITEMS WERE FOUND IN DELI SANDWICH PREP, SALAD BAR AND COLD HOLD UNITS IN MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO HOLD ALL COLD TCS FOODS @ 41F OR BELOW. T ALL SAID FOOD ITEMS WERE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY PIC. TOTAL COST OF ITEMS IS $300. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A MOLDLIKE AND SLIME BUILDUP ON INSIDE OF ICE MAKER SHOOT (FOOD CONTACT SURFACES) AND INSIDE BEVERAGE DISPENSER NOZZLES WHERE SODA AYRUP IS DISPENSED. SAID EQUIPMENT IS LOCATED IN MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ROLLING CARTS IN STORAGE CLOSETS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, REFRIGERATION UNITS, SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS OF ALL WALK IN COOLERS AND INSIDE OF STORAGE ROOM UNDER CART WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE
55
70
Apr 25, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Heavy dust build up on walk-in cooler drain line insulation, instructed to clean and maintain.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: Broken insulation at walk-in cooler cold lines causing condensation, instructed to repair and maintain.
55
90
Mar 2, 2022
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 23, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: Inadequate insects control, found about 50 live fruit flies scattered through out dish room, instructed to eliminate insects activity in all affected areas, pest control service is recommended. priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a)
38
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: No hand washing signs in employees restrooms, instructed to post.
10
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Fan covers in walk-in cooler with dirt and dust build-up. instructed to clean and maintain.
49
82
Apr 1, 2021
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE ACCUMULATION ON PANINI PRESS IN RETAIL/DELI AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SAME.
49
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION ON INSIDE OF ICE CREAM FREEZER. MUST DEFROST, CLEAN AND SANITIZE. OBSERVED RUST LIKE ACCUMULATION ON SHELVES OF HOT HOLDING UNIT IN GRILL AREA. MUST REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.
49
90
Jul 15, 2019
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED SOME CERTIFIED MANAGERS WITHOUT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL CERTIFIED MANAGERS AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE. -
58
95
Mar 12, 2019
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD BEING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE PIZZA & SANDWICH STATION'S PREP AREA. OBSERVED 4 PIZZAS HELD AT 74.6F-76.9F AND COOKED VEGETABLES HELD AT 58.4F-70.1F. FACILITY CORRECTED VIOLATION ON SITE BY VOLUNTARILY DISCARDING THE FOOD ITEMS WITH A REPORTED TOTAL WEIGHT OF 1.5# AND A VALUE OF $7. PRIORITY VIOLATION#:7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A SLIGHT ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS ON THE INTERIORS OF THE ICE MACHINE PORTION OF THE SODA DISPENSERS IN THE DINING AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOME "GRAB AND GO" ITEMS (COOKIES AND CUPCAKES) OFFERED FOR SALE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING. MUST PROVIDE. LABEL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO FACILITY AT THIS TIME.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTH STORED ON THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE HANDWASH SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REMOVE AND STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN BUCKETS OF SANITIZER IN BETWEEN USE.
41
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF GRIME/DEBRIS IN AND AROUND THE FLOOR DRAIN BY THE FAR SIDE OF THE CAFE SERVING LINE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA.
55
70
Feb 27, 2018
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES- GRILLED ONIONS AT 118.0 F, COOKED VEGETABLES AT 110.2 F. FOUND SAID FOODS ON TOP OF WARMER TABLE TOP AT FRONT SERVICE LINE WHICH HOLDS HOT FOODS SET AT OVER 140.0 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 140 F OR ABOVE IF HELD HOT. ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD VOLUNTARILLY DISCARDED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).
3
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE FLOOR DRAINS AT COOKING AREA. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS AND MAINTAIN.
34
90
Feb 10, 2017
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe on file is from Sep 17, 2025. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited eight times, more than any other issue at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe.
Has Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe 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 Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab — Kitchen and Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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