ALMOST HOME TAVERN & GRILL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: NOTED THE KITCHEN CHLORINE CHEMICAL DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT PROPERLY DISPENSING SANITIZER. NOTED 0 PPM CHLORINE. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED AND PROPERLY DISPENSES CHLORINE, C.D.P.H CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION AND TAG REMOVAL. INSTRUCTED TO USE THE BAR DISH WASHING MACHINE OR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: NOTED A ONE INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD OF THE KITCHEN EXIT DOOR LEADING TO THE OUTSIDE. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING ABOVE THE TWO BASEMENT BOX FREEZERS OR MOVE TO AN AREA WITH A SMOOTH, CLEANABLE CEILING.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: ALL POTS, PANS, SERVING BOWLS, TO GO CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED INVERTED/PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REMOVE FROM PREMISES THE POROUS STONE PESTLE AND MORTAR BOWL USED FOR FOODS. UNABLE TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE THE STONE BOWL.

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 CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE DISH WASHING MACHINES. NO QUATERNARY CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR THE SANITIZER BEING USED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS. MUST PROVIDE BOTH. 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: RAW WOODEN SHELVING AT THE SERVER STATION MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.----WOMEN'S WASHROOM DOOR REPAIRED WITH DUCT TAPE. MUST NOT USE DUCT TAPE AS A MEANS OF REPAIR. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: DIRT AND DEBRIS BEHIND AND AROUND THE KITCHEN DISH WASHING MACHINE AND KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP.----ALL FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE BAR NOTED DIRTY WITH DEBRIS AND BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE.----FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER WITH FOOD SPILLAGE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.-----BLACKENED, MOLDY WALL CAULKING AT THE KITCHEN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. 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: MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER AT THE BAR. 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: ALL CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED AT THE OUTDOOR SOILED LINEN CONTAINER MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT RODENT/PEST ACTIVITY.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NOTED NUMEROUS EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE UPDATED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.