AMARIT RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED 2 DOOR PREP COOLER, WITH POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS INSIDE, AT AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 56F DURING THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, SHRIMP) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES LOCATED IN A 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR ACROSS FROM THE COOKING EQUIPMENT; 15 LBS OF COOKED AND RAW CHICKEN AT 50-57.4F, 10 LBS OF COOKED PASTA AT 58F, 5 LBS OF COOKED SHRIMP AT 50.7F AND 10 LBS OF CHOPPED VEGETABLES AT 57F. ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS DISCARDED WAS $225. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AND TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER LID AND GROUND NOT MAINTAINED WITH ACCUMULATED GREASE ON TOP OF THE DUMPSTER LID AND ON THE GROUND AROUND THE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER LID AND GROUND AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (BEEF, CHICKEN) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME AND DATE LOCATED IN ALL PREP COOLER, REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS AND MAINTAIN.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED FOIL AND PAPER TOWELS BEING USED AS A SHELF LINER ON THE SHELF NEXT TO THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED ICE ON THE CONDENSER LOCATED IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE ALL SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAIN.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF ALL PREP COOLERS AND REFRIGERATORS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS THRU OUT WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND DIRT DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UNDER DISH MACHINE AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER AND AROUND ALL PREP TABLES, PREP COOLERS AND SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED A BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED A BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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.