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Safari Somali Cuisine: health inspection history

6319 N Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

An inspection is a dated snapshot of what an inspector observed on one day. It is not a guarantee of current conditions. Labels and scores below are the Chicago Department of Public Health's own terms; see how to read them.

Address: 6319 N Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
Facility type: Restaurant
Risk category: Risk 1 (High)
Latest result: Pass on Jun 3, 2025
License number: 2827119
Latest inspection: Jun 3, 2025 (Canvass)
Records shown: 6 inspections, Jan 21, 2022 to Jun 3, 2025

Across these 6 inspection records, results were: 3 × Pass; 2 × Fail; 1 × Pass w/ Conditions. 52 violations were listed in total.

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Inspection history

Jun 3, 2025 Canvass

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN CONTAINERS IN ALL THE COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND DRY STORAGE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
38.INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENTInspector comment: OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE TOP OF REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND REAR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL AREAS.
56.ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USEDInspector comment: OBSERVED THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
58.ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIREDInspector comment: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

Sep 9, 2024 Canvass Re-Inspection

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: : 4-501.11---- TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE COOKS LINE COOLER DOOR. MUST REPLACE.
51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: : 5-204.12---- NOTED HOSE ON SITE TO BE USED TO ATTACH TO THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

Sep 5, 2024 Canvass Re-Inspection

Result: FailRisk 1 (High)

39.CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAYInspector comment: 3-307.11---- MUST NOT STORE CLEAN UTENSILS HANGING ABOVE THE WASHBASIN OF THE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
41.WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STOREDInspector comment: 3-304.14--- PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
44.UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLEDInspector comment: 4-803.11--- OBSERVED SOILED LINENS HANGING ON THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK AND ON THE PIPING UNDER THE HAND SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL SOILED LINEN 4-903.11 (A;B;D)--- ALL STORED CLEAN POTS/PANS THROUGHOUT THE REAR MUST BE STORED INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
45.SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USEDInspector comment: : 4-903.11(A;C)--- ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO CLEAN AND MONITOR AT ALL TIMES.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: : 4-501.11---- TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE COOKS LINE COOLER DOOR. MUST REPLACE. : 4-202.16---- WOODEN BATHROOM CABINET BROKEN, IN POOR REPAIR WITH BROKEN SHELVING AND DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: 4-602.13--- NOTED PEELING STICKY TACK PAPER AS LINER FOR WALLS AND SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE ALL. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL THE WALLS AND SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE, DISH WASH AREA AND REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. : 4-601.11(B)---- INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND FOOD…
51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: : 5-204.12---- NOTED HOSE ON SITE TO BE USED TO ATTACH TO THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: : 6-201.11---- FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, MOP CLOSET, WASHROOM, REAR STORAGE ROOM WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----WALL AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH PEELING PLASTER AND PAINT. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.---- DIRTY WALL AT THE REAR HALLWAY HAND WASHING SINK WITH EXCESSIVE DRIPPING SOAP.----DIRTY WALL VENT COVER AT…
57.ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAININGInspector comment: 2-102.13--- NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
59.PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTEDInspector comment: PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #60 FROM 8-29-24 REPORT #2601904 NOT CORRECTED. 8-404.13(B:4)--- PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 2-27-23 REPORT #2571752 NOT CORRECTED. #37- ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENT'S' NAME.#55-: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK…

Aug 29, 2024 Canvass

Result: FailRisk 1 (High)

15.FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTEDInspector comment: OBSERVED RAW BEEF BEING STORED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF FRESH CABBAGE AND WITH OTHER ASSORTED FRESH VEGETABLES IN THE REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER. FOODS REMOVED. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD PROTECTION DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
23.PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITIONInspector comment: NOTED PREPARED TCS FOODS INSIDE VARIOUS COOLERS SUCH AS COOKED CRACKED WHEAT, MEAT SAUCE AND MARINARA SAUCE WITH NO DATE LABELS. NO LABELS OF ANY TYPE. REVIEWED ALL PREPARED FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
39.CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAYInspector comment: MUST NOT STORE CLEAN UTENSILS HANGING ABOVE THE WASHBASIN OF THE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
41.WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STOREDInspector comment: PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
44.UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLEDInspector comment: OBSERVED SOILED LINENS HANGING ON THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE KITCHEN/DISH HAND WASHING SINK AND ON THE PIPING UNDER THE HAND SINK. MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL SOILED LINEN.
44.UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLEDInspector comment: ALL STORED CLEAN POTS/PANS THROUGHOUT THE REAR MUST BE STORED INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
45.SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USEDInspector comment: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS. FLOORS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO CLEAN AND MONITOR AT ALL TIMES.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE COOKS LINE COOLER DOOR. MUST REPLACE.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: WOODEN BATHROOM CABINET BROKEN, IN POOR REPAIR WITH BROKEN SHELVING AND DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND FOOD SPLATTER.-----NOTED DIRTY FOOD ENCRUSTED BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: NOTED PEELING STICKY TACK PAPER AS LINER FOR WALLS AND SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE ALL. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON ALL THE WALLS AND SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE, DISH WASH AREA AND REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: NOTED HOSE ON SITE TO BE USED TO ATTACH TO THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: NOTED SOILED MOP BEING IMPROPERLY STORED IN A BUCKET IN THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM. MUST PROPERLY STORE SOILED MOPS INVERTED AT THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR REFRIGERATION/DRY FOOD STORAGE ROOM, MOP CLOSET, WASHROOM, REAR STORAGE ROOM WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----WALL AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH PEELING PLASTER AND PAINT. MUST REPAIR TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.---- DIRTY WALL AT THE REAR HALLWAY HAND WASHING SINK WITH EXCESSIVE DRIPPING SOAP.----DIRTY WALL VENT COVER AT THE SAME SINK…
57.ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAININGInspector comment: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
60.PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTEDInspector comment: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 2-27-23 REPORT #2571752 NOT CORRECTED. #37- ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS' NAME.#55-: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

Feb 27, 2023 Canvass

Result: Pass w/ ConditionsRisk 1 (High)

22.PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURESInspector comment: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-NOODLES 49.8F, SLICED LETTUCE 50.9F, TOMATOE SAUCE 50.1F, CHICKEN 47.3F, POTATOE SOUP 47.8F, CABBAGE SOUP 47.5F/51.1F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 8 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $60.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005.
33.PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROLInspector comment: EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. NOTED TEMPERATURE OF SERVICE COOLER AT THE PREP AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 53.4F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE EQUIPMENT UNTIL MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
35.APPROVED THAWING METHODS USEDInspector comment: NOTED CHICKEN IN WATER INSIDE CONTAINER IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK THAWING. MANAGER STATED THAT THE SHRIMP WAS DEFROSTING. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF DEFROSTING FOOD:- EITHER UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. PRODUCT TEMPERATURE WAS ADEQUATE AT THE TIME.
36.THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATEInspector comment: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.
37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: ALL BULK AND WORKING FOOD INGREDIENT CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH CONTENTS NAME.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: NOTED FOIL USED TO LINE SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56.ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USEDInspector comment: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

Jan 21, 2022 License

Result: PassRisk 1 (High)

37.FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINERInspector comment: ALL BULK FOODS INCLUDING SPICES NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
39.CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAYInspector comment: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN BOARD FOR DRYING CLEAN DISHES.
47.FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USEDInspector comment: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES OR BRICKS AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: MUST NOT USE FOIL TAPE AS A LINER FOR SHELVING. SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----NOTED ALL SHELVING THROUGHOUT KITCHEN WITH FOOD DEBRIS, CLUTTER, AND DIRT. MUST CLEAN ALL, REMOVE ALL CLUTTER. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49.NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANInspector comment: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS WITH FOOD BERIS AND DIRT.----NOTED DIRTY BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
51.PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICESInspector comment: NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK WHERE HOSES ARE ATTACHED. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: EXCESSIVE DRIPPING GREASE ON HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: ANY UNUSED EQUIPMENT MUST BE REPAIRED, WORKING ORDER AND MAINTAINED OR REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: SOILED MOPS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED INVERTED AT THE UTILITY MOP SINK.
55.PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEANInspector comment: FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, UNDER SINKS, IN REAR MOP SINK ROOM AND REAR REFRIGERATOR STORAGE ALL WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, WASHROOM, AND MOP CLOSET.----MISSING/DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE REAR REFRIGERATION STORAGE ROOM. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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See all inspected establishments in ZIP 60660 or the Chicago overview.

Source: Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), Food Protection Program, “Food Inspections” dataset on the official open data portal. Source data as of Nov 3, 2026; imported by FoodCheck USA on Nov 5, 2026. Report a problem with this record.