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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Ambar Chicago

700 N Clark St

Last inspected Apr 1, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Complaint

Apr 1, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 2Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS BEEF WERE PREPARED AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN REAR DISH AREA MAINTAINING IMPROPER FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE OF 149.3F. MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. SEE COMMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN DISH MACHINE SO THAT IT ACHIEVES A FINAL RINSE BETWEEN 180-192F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MEAT THAWING ON PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR IN MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 36Equipment and utensils

Official wording

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER OF SUGAR NOT LABELLED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND GRIME ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER REAR COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
notedCode 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED 8 EMPLOYEES AT TIME OF INSPECTION WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 1, 2026 · Original Source

Short Form Complaint

Apr 24, 2025

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 14Food source and labeling

Official wording

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FRESH MUSSELS IN TWO CONTAINERS IN WALK IN COOLER AND IN COLD HOLDING UNIT WITH NO SHELLSTOCK TAG IN CONTAINERS. CORRECTED ON SITE CONTAINERS OF FRESH MUSSELS VOLUNTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED BY MANAGEMENT,VALUED AT $20 AND WEIGHING 5LBS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENING AT MIDDLE BASE OF DOUBLE ENTRANCE FRONT DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

5-204.12: UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN COFFEE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN COFFEE AREA SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FILTERS IN HOODS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Apr 24, 2025 · Original Source

License

Mar 13, 2025

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED OPENING AT MIDDLE BASE OF DOUBLE ENTRANCE FRONT DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects
notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s notes

UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN COFFEE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN COFFEE AREA SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON FILTERS IN HOODS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS IN HOOD.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Mar 13, 2025 · Original Source

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