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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine

5352 N Broadway

Last inspected Sep 26, 2025 · 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

8 inspections

Canvass

Sep 26, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 45Equipment and utensils

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FACILITY REUSING SINGLE USE THANK YOU BAGS TO STORE RAW MEAT IN THE REACH-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO NOT REUSE SINGLE USE BAGS AND TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE BAGS OR 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

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 26, 2025 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Sep 19, 2025

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 19, 2025 · Original Source

Complaint Re-Inspection

Dec 2, 2024

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

6-501.19 OBSERVED BASEMENT RESTROOM DOOR TO NOT BE SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF-CLOSING DEVICE FOR DOOR.

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, Dec 2, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Nov 22, 2024

Fail

3 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED MORE THAN 10 LIVE COCKROACHES IN BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE RACKS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: PREP AREA, FRONT BAR AREA, REAR STORAGE AREA, AND BASEMENT. ALSO OBSERVED MORE THAN 25 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN PREP AREA IN LOWER MECHANICAL COMPONENT OF STEAMER, ON TOP OF DISHWASHER, IN BETWEEN FREEZER AND WALL AND THROUGHOUT REAR STORAGE AREA IN BETWEEN STORED EQUIPMENT. RECOMMEND CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, DETAIL CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

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

OBSERVED HANDSINK IN PREP AREA TO BE SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED BASEMENT RESTROOM DOOR TO NOT BE SELF-CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SELF-CLOSING DEVICE FOR DOOR.

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, Nov 22, 2024 · Original Source

Complaint

Nov 19, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Nov 19, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 9, 2024

Pass

9 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF BOTTOM OF REAR EXIT DOOR.

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 37Food source and labeling

Official wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IDENTIFIED WITH COMMON NAME (FLOUR, SALT ETC).

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN STORAGE RACKS WITH MOLD LIKE BUILD-UP INSIDE BASEMENT LIQUOR WALK-IN COOLER AND INSIDE THE MAIN WALK-IN COOLER.

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 53Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

Inspector’s notes

BASEMENT (EMPLOYEE) TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE.

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 57Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. 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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s notes

CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT, ANY PERSON WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

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 10Handwashing

Official wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK BEHIND THE (2) BAR AND INSIDE BASEMENT EMPLOYEE WASHROOM.

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

More about handwashing problems
notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

Inspector’s notes

INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR (BOTTOM) SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE WITH BUILD-UP IN THE BASEMENT.

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

INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN THE BASEMENT.

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, Aug 9, 2024 · Original Source

Canvass

Aug 9, 2024

Out of Business

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 9, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection

Aug 7, 2024

No Entry

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Aug 7, 2024 · Original Source

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