What is Buffalo Sam's health inspection score?

Buffalo Sam has a SafeDine safety score of 44 out of 100 (Grade C). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Buffalo Sam last inspected?

Buffalo Sam was last inspected on April 24, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Buffalo Sam have?

Buffalo Sam has 10 total violations across 2 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Buffalo Sam safe to eat at?

Buffalo Sam has a safety score of 44/100, which suggests room for improvement. Review the detailed inspection history on SafeDine for more information.

What type of cuisine does Buffalo Sam serve?

Buffalo Sam serves American cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Buffalo Sam

Name: Buffalo Sam
Address: 508 S KOSTNER AVE, Chicago, 60624
Rating: 44

508 S KOSTNER AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 11mo ago

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0Poor

American•Chicago

Ranked #960 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 17% of american restaurants

Declining

2 inspections

Last: Apr 24, 2025

medium confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

Clean Rate

Avg Violations

12 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Employee illnessHigh Priority

Sick employee handling food — illness transmission risk

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

Employee hygiene

Personal hygiene practices not followed

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-57

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-8 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-4 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-5 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-7 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-58 pts

Latest

100% weight

2nd

60% weight

How scoring works: Every restaurant starts at 100 points. Points are deducted for violations found during inspections.

Recent inspections are weighted more heavily. High priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact.

Location

508 S KOSTNER AVE, Chicago, IL 60624

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Inspection History

2 records on file

1 Complaint1 License

Apr 25

Complaint InspectionLatestPass w/ Conditions

4 High1 Med2 Basic

7 total3 risk factors

36/100inspection score

−49 pts

High Priority (4)

−40 pts

2CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATERisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE WHILE PREAPRING AND SERVING, CHICKEN, FISH, SHRIMP, BURGERS, SLICED TOMATOES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CERTIFICATE HOLDER ON SITE WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
5PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTSRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE POSTED OR NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
8HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHEDRisk Factor−10
OBSERVED 3 FOOD HANDLERS WASHING HANDS IMPROPERLY IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT FOOD EMPLOYEES SHALL ONLY WASH HANDS IN THE HANDWASHING SINK ONLY AS REQUIRED, NOT WHERE FOOD PREP OR WAREWASHING TAKES PLACE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDSINK LOCATED IN PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

21PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES−5
OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 35 LBS OF COOKED CHICKEN WINGS AND FISH FILETS STORED IN BULK CONTAINERS ON PREP TABLE SHELF DURING TIME OF INSPECTION AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 70�F-82�F. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO HOLD ALL TCS HOT FOODS AT 135�F OR HIGHER AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. THE PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED THE SAID FOOD ITEM AT THIS TIME. TOTAL COST OF DICARDED FOOD @$100.

Basic (2)

−4 pts

40PERSONAL CLEANLINESS−2
OBSERVED ALL FOOD HANDLERS OPERATING WITHOUT EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERFTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW.

Base deductions−49 pts

Risk factor bonus (3× +5)−15 pts

Feb 24

License InspectionPass

3 Basic

3 total

94/100inspection score

−6 pts

Basic (3)

−6 pts

55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED WALL BASE BEHIND FRYERS AS WELL AS IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM IN DISREPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED DRIED FOOD SPLATTER IN FRONT NEAR REGISTERS WHERE SAUCES ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN BASIN IN UNUSED POP MACHINE ON TOP OF COUNTER.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.

Base deductions−6 pts

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Community Safety Reports

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Data source: Chicago CDPH · Official government inspection records

Grading System

85 – 100

Excellent

70 – 84

Good

Below 70

Fair

About SafeDine Scores

Scores are calculated using official government inspection data. High Priority violations (direct health hazards) have the greatest impact, followed by Intermediate and Basic violations. Community reviews can adjust the score by up to 5 points when 3+ reviews are submitted.

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