Zahra's Kitchen

4807 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

Indian

Last inspected: Nov 21, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The inspection history at Zahra's Kitchen is still short, with only two visits logged. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 21, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around six violations each.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “adequate ventilation & lighting”, showing up two times.

By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Zahra's Kitchen on the weaker side. The record reflects steady performance over time.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 21, 2025

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/GRIME BUILD UP ON EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF ALL PREP AREA SINKS, FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA COOLERS AND FOOD BUILD UP ON PREP AREA SHELVES. MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD/GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD AND HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN VENTILATION HOOD AND HOOD FILTERS.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Inspector notes: OBSERVED ESTABLISHMENT USING PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS TO HOLD MEATS INSIDE STAND UP FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST USE FOOD GRADE PLASTIC BAGS ONLY TO HOLD FOODS INSIDE.

May 6, 2025

License

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: NAKED WOOD SHELVES IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA MUST BE SMOOTH,CLENABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: EAST-SOUTH WALL ABOVE THE FOUR COMPARTMENT SINK HAS ROUGH SURFACE NOT CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WASHROOM IN THE BASEMENT OVERLOADED WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, MOSTLY UNUSED CHAIRS, BOXES WITH BROKEN SMALL APPLIANCES, AND TOOLS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS IF THE AREA IS USED FOR A WASHROOM OR REMOVE THE TOILET BOWL AND CAP PIPES ON FLOOR.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: PROTECTIVE LIGHT SHIELD IS REQUIRED AT LIGHT BULB IN THE KITCHEN.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: ADDITIONAL ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES REQUIRED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Zahra's Kitchen last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Zahra's Kitchen on file is from Nov 21, 2025. The public record contains two inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Zahra's Kitchen?

Across the inspection record, “adequate ventilation & lighting” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Zahra's Kitchen.

Has Zahra's Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Zahra's Kitchen have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Zahra's Kitchen means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Shibam Restaurant

4807 N Elston Ave

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Shibam City Restaurant

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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