ALEXANDER'S Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED, SERVED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. EGGS ON THE COOKS LINE AT 50.3F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOKS HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH FRESH STRAWBERRIES, TOAST, BACON AND OTHER COOKED FOOD ITEMS FROM THE GRILL WITH BAR HANDS. MANAGER INSTRUCTED COOK TO USE GLOVES AND CHANGE AS NEEDED BETWEEN HANDLING RAW EGGS AND RTE FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND BOTH THE FRONT PREP AND COOKS LINE PREP HAND WASHING SINKS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. A DIRTY KNIFE WAS IN THE FRONT PREP SINK AND KNIFE SHARPENERS IN THE KITCHEN HAND SINK AND SINK BLOCKED BY A LARGE GARBAGE CAN AND PLASTIC BUCKETS. REVIEWED HAND WASHING SINKS ARE FOR HAND WASHING PURPOSES ONLY AND MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE AT THE COOKS LINE/DISH AREA HAND WASHING SINK. EMPLOYEE PROVIDED. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #10 FOR CITATION.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: NOTED SOME INTERIOR AREAS OF THE ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

PROPER COOLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COOLING OF COOKED SOUPS. TWO LARGE PLASTIC CONTAINERS OF CHICKEN SOUP AND VEGETABLE SOUP OBSERVED ON SHELVING UNDER THE COOKS LINE HOT HOLD TABLE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 119.8F AND 125.4F. REVIEWED PROPER METHODS OF COOLING IN ICE BATHS, SHALLOW CONTAINERS, QUICK CHILL IN FREEZER ETC.NO COOLING LOGS BEING USED TO MONITOR. ALL DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Slow cooling allows spore-forming bacteria like C. perfringens to germinate and multiply to dangerous levels.

Foods must be rapidly cooled to safe temperatures.

Cool from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, then to 41°F within 4 additional hours; Use shallow pans, ice baths, cooling wands, or blast chillers; Monitor with thermometer.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS EGGS STORED ON SHELVING ON THE COOKS LINE AT 50.3F. REVIEWED ALL COLD FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR LOWER. EGGS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #20 FOR CITATION.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED BULK FOOD STORED ON TOP OF THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER NOT PROPERLY LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: NOTED SOUP STORED IN USED BUCKETS OF AN UNKNOWN SOURCE UNABLE TO READ PEELING LABEL FROM PREVIOUS PRODUCT. INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE WASHABLE CONTAINERS ONLY.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: NOTED ALL THE FOOD HANDLERS, DISHWASHER WITHOUT A HAIR OR BEARD RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: NOTED PLATES WITHOUT HANDLES BEING USED FOR FOOD SCOOPS IN THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE PROPER FOOD SCOOPS WITH INVERTED HANDLES FOR FOOD.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: ALL RAW WOOD USED AS REPAIR FOR THE DOORWAY OF THE WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE PAINT/SEALED AND NON-ABSORBENT.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR FOR THE ICE BUCKET. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO MONITOR THE QUATERNARY CHEMICAL SANITIZER BEING USED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING AT AN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 160 F AT THE MANIFOLD. HIGH TEMPERATURE EXTERNAL GAUGE READING 140 F. MANAGERS IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATORS SHOWING THE MACHINE NOT REACHING AN ADEQUATE FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND REACHES PROPER TEMPERATURE, C.D.P.H CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION AND TAG REMOVAL. INSTRUCTED TO SET THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK SET TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED LEAK UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK INTO A PAN AND LEAKING RINSE BASIN REPAIRED WITH PLUMBERS PUTTY. MUST PROPERLY REPAIR SINK WITH A METAL WELD.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FLOORS UNDER SHELVING IN THE BASEMENT WITH OPEN BATE DEBRIS. MUST REMOVE, CLEAN ALL FLOORS.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED PEELING BASEBOARD COVING IN THE MENS WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED PEELING BASEBOARD COVING IN THE MENS WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.