RestaurantLicence 2397487

Rafa's Chicken

4410 W 63rd St, Chicago 60629

Latest verdictConditionalSep 23, 2026 · 21 days ago

Inspections16since Apr 28, 2015

Fail rate6.3%1 of 16 verdictscitywide 22.4% · below average

City risk ratingHigh riskWhat this kind of business could do if it went wrong — not a grade it earned.

Read the pairs, not the count. A failure is normally followed within days by a re-inspection, and that re-inspection is a second row here. On the timeline below they sit almost on top of each other — one bad day, two marks.

The whole record

Pass63%
Conditional31%
Fail6%

16 inspections from 2015 to 2026 · hover a mark

20172019202120232025

ConditionalSep 23, 2026ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Observed handsink in restroom at improper hot water temperature of 81.1f. Instructed person in charge to restore hot water to minimum of 100f and maintain at all times. Priority violation #7-38-030(c). Citation issued.hot water restored during inspection by owner.
2. 40
  Personal cleanliness
  Observed front counter employee without hair restraint providing utensils and plates to customers. Instructed to utilize hair restraint at all times when handling food, utensils, or platters/plates.
3. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed three door cooler with torn gasket. Instructed person in charge to replace and maintain.
4. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Observed grease build up of filters in hood system. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.
PassJan 28, 2026CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Observed cardboard on shelving in rear storage area. Instructed person in charge to remove to maintain surface of shelves smooth and easily cleanable.
PassJan 16, 2025CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Large garbage cans being used to store raw chicken in walk in cooler. Instd to remove and use proper food grade containers.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Vent and surrounding ceiling tiles in prep area with dust accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain same
PassFeb 26, 2024CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 10
  Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
  Missing handwash signage at handwash sink in prep area. Instd to provide signage and maintain.
2. 43
  In-use utensils: properly stored
  Small cups being used as dispensing utensils and being stored in spices. Instd to use proper dispensing utensils and store properly
3. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Rusty surface on bottom shelf of prep table. Instd to remove rust and maintain.
4. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Missing allergen training for city of Chicago certified managers. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site
PassMar 15, 2023Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  Dry storage containers not labeled with common name. Instd to label with common name and maintain
2. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Large garbage cans being used to store raw chicken. Instd to remove and use proper food grade containers.
FailMar 13, 2023CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 37
  Food properly labeled; original container
  Dry storage containers not labeled with common name. Instd to label with common name and maintain
2. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Large garbage cans being used to store raw chicken. Instd to remove and use proper food grade containers.
3. 52
  Sewage & waste water properly disposed
  3-compartment sink improperly draining, waste water with food debris immediately backing up from drain onto floor when water being drained (one basin at time). Instd to repair sink to drain properly without waste water backing up and accumulating onto floor. Citation issued 7-38-030(c) priority
ConditionalJan 24, 2022CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 21
  Proper hot holding temperatures
  Observed improper temperatures of tcs foods such as appx. 10lbs.cooked chicken ranging from 125.7f-126.7f inside of hot holding unit.product was discarded by manager.must have hot foods at 135.0f or above.appx. 10lbs. $149.(cos)(priority 7-38-005)(citation issued)
2. 33
  Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
  Observed improper temperature of hot holding unit at 105.1f with tcs foods stored inside .must have hot holding unit at 135.0f or above.manager adjusted thermostate and air temperature is now 135.1f.(priority 7-38-005)(cos)(citation issued)
3. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Observed an appx. "1-2" gap along bottom of garage door and in right corner of rear door.must make doors tight fitting.
4. 44
  Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
  Must invert multi-use utensils on lower shelves of prep tables.
5. 45
  Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
  Must store plastic wear with handles in upright position.
6. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Must repair or replace torn door gaskets on both 3- door reach in coolers.
7. 49
  Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
  Must clean debris build up on fryer cabinets,grill tables, prep tables,3- door reach in cooler shelving units.
8. 51
  Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
  Observed no backflow device on ice machine to be seen for servicing.must provide and maintain.
9. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must clean dirt build up on walls in walk in cooler in garage.
10. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must replace or repair stained ceiling tiles in front prep area.
11. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Must scrape and paint peeling paint on walls in dining area.
12. 56
  Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
  Must clean debris build up on filters and hood of cooking equipment.
13. +1 more
PassMar 5, 2021CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 38
  Insects, rodents, & animals not present
  Rear back door not rodent proofed. Gap at bottom of door. Instructed manager to correct and maintain.
2. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Bathroom garbage can in need of cover. Instructed to cover and maintain.
ConditionalFeb 7, 2020CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 47
  Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
  Large garbage cans being used to store raw chicken. Instd to use proper food grade containers and able to submerge in basins of 3 sink.
2. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Wall needs cleaning under toilet tissue dispenser in employee toilet room. Instd to clean and maintain.
3. 58
  Allergen training as required
  See 60.
4. 60
  Previous core violation corrected
  Previous core violation from 6/19/19 report 2293853: no allergen training as required for city of Chicago certified manager. Instd to obtain training and verifcation. Citation issued 7-42-090 priority foundation.
ConditionalJun 19, 2019CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 3
  Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
  Observed no employee health policy available. Instructed manager to provide employee health policy. Priority foundation 7-38-010
2. 5
  Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
  Observed no procedures or supplies for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Instructed manager to provide clean up policy and supplies. Priority foundation 7-38-005
3. 53
  Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
  Observed no covered waste receptacle in washrooms. Instructed manager to provide.
4. 55
  Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
  Observed stained ceiling tiles in front prep area. Instructed manager to replace and maintain.
5. 58
  Allergen training as required
  Observed no allergen training available. All certified managers must provide allergen training.
PassJan 17, 2018Canvass Re-InspectionRisk 1 (High)
1. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Interior of ice machine panel with slight build up. Instd to clean and maintain.
2. 41
  Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
  Personal belongings improperly stored. Instd to store in designated area
ConditionalJan 12, 2018CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 2
  Facilities to maintain proper temperature
  Hot holding unit tagged and held for inspection, internal air temperature of 132.1f. Instd not to use until repaired and reinspected by cdoh violation 7-38-005a critical.
2. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Interior of ice machine panel with slight build up. Instd to clean and maintain.
3. 41
  Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
  Personal belongings improperly stored. Instd to store in designated area.
PassJan 20, 2017ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 32
  Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
  Observed frozen meats and other foods stored in plastic grocery bags. Management instructed to use only food grade storage bags.
2. 33
  Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
  Observed the #10 can opener not clean, instructed to clean and sanitize.
3. 35
  Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
  Observed water damaged ceiling tiles in front storage area, instructed to replace.
4. 37
  Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
  The employee washroom door that opens into the prep area is not self closing. Management instructed to install self closing door device.
5. 45
  Food handler requirements met
  All food handling employees must show proof of food handler training. Must provide.
PassDec 29, 2016ComplaintRisk 1 (High)
1. 32
  Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
  Observed frozen meats and other foods stored in plastic grocery bags. Management instructed to use only food grade storage bags.
2. 37
  Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
  The employee washroom door that opens into the prep area is not self-closing. Management instructed to install a self-closing door device.
3. 45
  Food handler requirements met
  All food handling employees must show proof of food handler training. Must provide.
PassApr 5, 2016CanvassRisk 1 (High)
1. 36
  Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
  Light shield needed in rear storage area. Must install and maintain.
2. 43
  Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
  Ice scoop must be stored in a clean sanitized container. Must correct and maintain.
PassApr 28, 2015LicenseRisk 1 (High)
1. 38
  Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
  Observed no backflow device on rear mop sink, instructed to provide. (photo given)

Fails sit above the line, passes below. Every inspection the city has published for this licence.

On the street

Apple Maps street-level imagery. Click to look around the block.

What it gets cited for

478×
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
556×
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
374×
Food properly labeled; original container
334×
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
583×
Allergen training as required
383×
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
453×
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
102×
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Counted across every inspection on record here. A code that keeps coming back is the more telling signal.

Source

Published by the Chicago Department of Public Health as Food Inspections, updated weekly. This page shows every row the city holds under licence 2397487 — a business that changed hands may carry history from its predecessor.