Before you dine, check the sign.

BABA'S FAMOUS STEAK AND LEMONADE

101 E 51ST ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60615

Health Inspection: violations

Official health department data. Inspected 2026-10-07; refreshed 2026-10-12. May lag the official record. Check the official source

3 findings at the latest imported inspection (2026-10-07), including 2 critical violations. These dated findings do not mean the establishment failed overall or that issues remain unresolved.

Inspection history and recorded findings

2026-10-07: Complaint

Pass w/ Conditions

  • Critical: CHI-22 — PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS SUCH AS 20LBS OF SLICED ITALIAN BEEF VALUED AT $150 AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 50F LOCATED IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TFRCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  • Critical: CHI-33 — PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 55.0F AT WALI-IN COOLER. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  • Not Critical: CHI-53 — TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR PROPER DISPOSAL OF SANITARY NAPKINS IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE.

2026-05-12: Complaint

PASS W/ CONDITIONS

  • Not Critical: CHI-1 — PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.
  • Not Critical: CHI-2 — CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED, HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN, HAMBURGERS, SAMDWICHES, AND FRENCH FRIES. MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
  • Critical: CHI-22 — PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS SUCH AS 50LBS OF CHICKEN VALUED AT $200AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 50F LOCATED IN FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND TO MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  • Critical: CHI-33 — PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: NOTED IMPROPER COLD-HOLD TEMPERATURE OF 49.5F AT FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT. INFORMED ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS SHALL MAINTAIN A PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. REFRIGERATOR UNIT MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (CDPH). PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
  • Not Critical: CHI-37 — FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE
  • Not Critical: CHI-39 — CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.
  • Not Critical: CHI-40 — PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT.
  • Not Critical: CHI-47 — FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLERS AND REFRIGERATOR IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

Inspection results are separate from diner opinions. Favorable overall ratings do not negate individual findings.

Diner reviews