Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Baba Pita

Name: Baba Pita
Address: 2343 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL

2343 W Taylor St

Last inspected Jan 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Pass w/ Conditions

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Canvass

Jan 8, 2026

Pass w/ Conditions

4 recorded violations

notedCode 29Other

Official wording

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED NO VARIANCE/HACCP PLAN APPROVAL ON SITE FOR SPECIAL PROCESS FERMENTATION. FOUND A GLASS JAR OF CUT TURNIPS FERMENTING IN WATER AND SALT OUT AT ROOM TEMPERATURE ON THE FOOD PREP TABLE ACROSS FROM THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED SITE NOT TO USE FOOD ITEM UNTIL HACCP PLAN/VARIANCE IS SUBMITTED TO CDPH AND APPROVAL IS GRANTED FROM CDPH. FOOD ITEM TAGGED AT THIS TIME AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 32Other

Official wording

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS

Inspector’s notes

FOUND NO VARIANCE OR HACCP PLAN ON SITE FOR SPECIAL PROCESS OF FERMENTING FOOD ITEMS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT DISCONTINUE THE SPECIAL PROCESS UNTIL THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPROVES A VARIANCE AND HACCP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #29

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

notedCode 40Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THREE EMPLOYEES WITH NOT HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS, WHILE IN FOOD PREP AREA.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED YELLOW, LIQUID ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jan 8, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Mar 11, 2025

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS USED TO STORE FROZEN MEATS IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA, OVEN, STOVE, DEEP FRYER, PREP TABLES AND 4-DRAWER PREP COOLER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALLS OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

REPLACE THE CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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 11, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Apr 11, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS STUCK ON THE LARGE METAL COLLANDERS HANGING AND STORED AS CLEAN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL FOOD DEBRIS FROM ALL UTENSILS.

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 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SINGLE-USE ALUMINUM FOIL TRAYS AND CONTAINERS NOT STORED INVERTED ON THE STORAGE RACKS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND DRY STORAGE AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SINGLE-USE CONTAINERS.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED SEVERAL FEMALE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

CLEAN THE FOOD DEBRIS ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE STOVE.

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 23Food source and labeling

Official wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED TCS FOODS (HUMMUS AND GARLIC SAUCE) STORED IN THE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER PAST THE 7 DAY-USE DATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE OR DISCARD ALL DATE-MARKED TCS FOODS BEFORE THE 7-DAY-USE DATE. PRIORITY 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 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FROZEN BEEF STEAK THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW ALL TCS FOODS PROPERLY.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.

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 11, 2024 · Original Source