What is Mama Ruth's Soul Food's health inspection score?

Mama Ruth's Soul Food has a SafeDine safety score of 78 out of 100 (Grade B). This score is calculated from official government health inspection data, factoring in violation severity, recency, and trends.

When was Mama Ruth's Soul Food last inspected?

Mama Ruth's Soul Food was last inspected on March 19, 2025. SafeDine tracks official health department inspections and updates scores automatically.

How many health violations does Mama Ruth's Soul Food have?

Mama Ruth's Soul Food has 14 total violations across 6 inspections on record. Violations are categorized by severity: high priority, intermediate, and basic.

Is Mama Ruth's Soul Food safe to eat at?

Mama Ruth's Soul Food has a good safety record with a score of 78/100. While there are some noted violations, overall compliance is solid.

What type of cuisine does Mama Ruth's Soul Food serve?

Mama Ruth's Soul Food serves Soul Food cuisine. Visit their SafeDine page for safety scores, inspection history, and more details.

Official Health Record

Mama Ruth's Soul Food

Name: Mama Ruth's Soul Food
Address: 5965 W CHICAGO AVE, Chicago, 60651
Rating: 78

5965 W CHICAGO AVE, Chicago

Last inspected 12mo ago

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0Good

Soul Food•Chicago

Ranked #995 of 1000 in ChicagoBetter than 81% of soul food restaurants

Declining

6 inspections

Last: Mar 19, 2025

low confidence

Directions Order

Inspections

33%

Clean Rate

2.3

Avg Violations

13 months ago

Last Inspected

Top Concerns

Most common issues from recent inspections

Cross-contamination

Raw and cooked foods not properly separated

Temperature control

Food not kept at safe temperatures — risk of bacterial growth

HandwashingHigh Priority

Employees not properly washing hands — contamination risk

Facility condition

Building maintenance or structural issues

Food labeling

Food not properly labeled or dated

Score Analysis

How the SafeDine score is calculated

Live Data Feed

Starting Score

100

Total Deductions

-22

Final Score

Impact Breakdown

High Priority

-0 pts

Direct health hazards • 10 pts each

Intermediate

-6 pts

Potential hazards • 5 pts each

Basic

-3 pts

Best practices • 2 pts each

Freshness Penalty

-12 pts

Score reduced due to stale inspection data

Inspection Timeline

-9 pts

Latest

100% weight

100

2nd

60% weight

3rd

30% 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

5965 W CHICAGO AVE, Chicago, IL 60651

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Violation Timeline

Aug 2023

2 inspections

1 high priority

6 basic

Aug

Sep 2023

1 inspections

1 basic

Jul 2024

1 inspections

1 intermediate

Jul

Mar 2025

2 inspections

2 intermediate

3 basic

Inspection History

6 records on file

1 Canvass1 Non-Inspection1 Complaint1 License Re-Inspection2 License

Mar 25

Canvass InspectionLatestPass

2 Med3 Basic

5 total

84/100inspection score

−16 pts

Intermediate (2)

−10 pts

36THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE−5
OBSERVED BROKEN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER FOR INSIDE PREP AREA TABLE COOLING UNIT LABELED FOR EMPLOYEES ONLY, FOR EMPLOYEES LUNCHES, WATER/DRINKS, ETC. IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
OBSERVED NO LABELS ON FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS CONTAINING SUGAR AND FLOUR ON SHELVING UNIT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Basic (3)

−6 pts

39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED NO SPLASHGUARD BETWEEN REAR HANDWASHING SINK AND FOOD PREPARATION TABLE NEAR THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
39CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY−2
OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF CASES OF SODA POP STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE DISPLAY COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON SHELVING UNITS.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED IMPROPER STORAGE OF MOP IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.

Base deductions−16 pts

Mar 25

Non-Inspection InspectionCleanNo Entry

No violations

100/100inspection score

Jul 24

Complaint InspectionPass

1 Med

1 total

95/100inspection score

−5 pts

Intermediate (1)

−5 pts

37FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER−5
INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELING ON CHOPPED WATERMELON AND DESSERTS IN DISPLAY COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA.

Base deductions−5 pts

Sep 23

License Re-Inspection InspectionPass

1 Basic

1 total

98/100inspection score

−2 pts

Basic (1)

−2 pts

57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
2-102.13: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.

Base deductions−2 pts

Aug 23

License InspectionFail

1 High6 Basic

7 total

78/100inspection score

−22 pts

High Priority (1)

−10 pts

10ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE−10
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE LOCATED TO ALLOW CONVENIENT USE BY EMPLOYEES IN DISHWASHING AREA. MUST INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK IN SAID AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED

Basic (6)

−12 pts

47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SHELVING UNITS IN BROKEN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNITS. ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED−2
OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED RUBBER GASKET ON 2 DOOR OF THE COOLER; INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEAD NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN−2
OBSERVED UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNUSED, UNNECSSARY EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
56ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED−2
OBSERVED NO WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
57ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING−2
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT.

Base deductions−22 pts

Aug 23

License InspectionCleanNot Ready

No violations

100/100inspection score

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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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