Canvass
Jun 23, 2026
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 23, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant · Chicago, IL
Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!
441 N Clark St
Last inspected Jun 23, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Pass
Get the next inspection, free.
We'll email you when Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.
Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist
SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
9 inspectionsNon-Inspection
Jun 5, 2026
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 5, 2026 · Original Source
Canvass Re-Inspection
Sep 2, 2025
Pass
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 2, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 26, 2025
Fail
7 recorded violations
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BLACK SLIMY SUBSTANCES ON INTERIOR WATER COMPONENTS OF THE ICE MAKER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA, DRIPPING INTO ICE "ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION". INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO TURN OFF MACHINE, REMOVE ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR OF ICE MAKER CLEANED AND SANITIZED AND MAINTAINED.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, 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 problemsnotedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED GAP OPENING APPROX 1/4" INCH AT BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF REAR BASEMENT EXIT DOOR.INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING ALL ACROSS THE BOTTOM TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND MAINTAIN.
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 insectsnotedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FIRST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS 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 problemsnotedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN TOP SURFACES OF THE REAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE TO REMOVE LOOSE DRIED UP DEBRIS 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 problemsnotedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage
Official wording
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
Inspector’s notes
BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT COFFEE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO 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 problemsnotedCode 54Facility maintenance
Official wording
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED LITTER DEBRIS ON GROUND FLOOR SURROUNDING THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE COMPACTOR.INSTRUCTED TO BETTER MAINTAIN THE OUTSIDE REFUSE ENCLOSURE 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 issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING ALONG THE REAR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE.MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED RUST SURFACES ON WALL ALONG THE FRONT PREP LINE COOLERS.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE RUSTS SO THAT WALL SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
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 problemsOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 26, 2025 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Aug 14, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 14, 2025 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Jul 16, 2025
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jul 16, 2025 · Original Source
Canvass
Aug 27, 2024
Pass w/ Conditions
6 recorded violations
notedCode 38Pests
Official wording
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED OPENING AT BASE OF FRONT ENTRANCE OUTER DOOR. 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 insectsnotedCode 2Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
Inspector’s notes
PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENTED AN INVALID COPY OF CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY MUST HAVE A PERSON ON SITE WITH AN VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. 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 issuesnotedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED BLACK AND PINK MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE ON LOWER AREA OF STAINLESS STEEL SHIELD NEAR HOLES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.
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 problemsnotedCode 44Equipment and utensils
Official wording
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED UNCOVERED CONTAINERS OF KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS ON SHELF NEAR DINING AREA. CORRECTED ON SITE COVER PLACED ON CONTAINERS OF KNIVES, FORKS AND SPOONS ON SHELF NEAR DINING AREA TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
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 issuesnotedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOOR AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH ALL COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT ACROSS FROM COOKLINE. OBSERVED DEBRIS AND BLACK BUILDUP ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA. OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA AND EASTSIDE DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS 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 problemsnotedCode 58Permits, training, and postings
Official wording
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
Inspector’s notes
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR TWO EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.
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 issuesOfficial record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 27, 2024 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Aug 21, 2024
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 21, 2024 · Original Source
Non-Inspection
Dec 1, 2023
No Entry
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Dec 1, 2023 · Original Source