ALMOST HOME TAVERN & GRILL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED NO PAPER TOWELS AT PREP HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. 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: NOTED HAND WASH SINK AT THE DISHWASHING AREA IN POOR REPAIRS WITH MISSING KNOB AT THE COLD WATER FAUCET(WATER THEREFORE TURNED OFF).INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS HAVE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK ALL TIMES WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY 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: NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE BAR HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HAND WASHING SIGN AT LL HAND WASHING SINKS.

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 INNER LINING OF THE ICE MACHINE WAS NOT CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES AT THE PREP AREA AND DINING TABLES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

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: NOTED ICE SCOOP STORED INSIDE ICE BIN ON ICE AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE AN ICE SCOOP HOLDER.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE SPRAYER OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. ALSO NOTED LOW WATER PRESSURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO MEET THE WATER PRESSURE OF THE FOOD CODE.

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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: NOTED HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATION ON AND AROUNG THE GREASE TRAP AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DTAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND/OR REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.

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 MULTIPLES HOLES AND OPENINGS AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PEST.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING AREA, AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE DISH WASHING AREA, AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA.

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.