APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, BURGERS) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: MUST REMOVE THE DEAD COCKROACHES FROM THE WALLS AND SHELVES NEAR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AND REMOVE ALL THE DEAD FLIES FROM THE WALL ABOVE THE BAR ICE BIN.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A DIRTY PIECE OF PLASTIC WRAP TIED AROUND THE LEFT DOOR ON THE HOT WATER SANITIZING DISH MACHINE. MUST REMOVE PLASTIC FROM DISH MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

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: NOTED THE DRAIN HOSE MISSING FOR THE SODA GUN HOLDER IN THE BAR. MUST PROVIDE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: FOUND A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF GREASE, GRIME, AND DEBRIS UNDERNEATH THE FLAT TOP GRILLS, ON EDGES OF SHELVES AND COOKING EQUIPMENT ON THE COOKS LINE, ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PANELS AND PARTS OF THE HOT WATER DISH MACHINE (INCLUDING DRAINBOARD), ON THE HANDLES OF ALL COOLERS AND FRYERS, INSIDE THE COOLERS ON THE COOKS LINE, AND ON THE EXTERIOR (UNDERNEATH) COMPARTMENTS OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

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: FOUND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE WALLS IN THE BAR (OVER THE ICE BIN), AND IN THE DISHWASHING AREAS. ALSO FOUND A HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT IN THE BAR, BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR PREP AREA, UNDERNEATH THE HOT WATER DISH MACHINE, AND BEHIND THE HOT-HOLDING UNITS NEXT TO THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL BASE COVING. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO RE-SEAL THE BASE COVING THAT IS PEELING OFF THE WALL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

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: UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

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: NOTED CURRENT ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES TO BE EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP NON-EXPIRED CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 10/19/2021 REPORT #2534969 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #55 (6-501.11) MUST REGROUT FLOOR THROUGHOUT FOOD PREPARATION AREAS AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. VIOLATION #55 (6-501.13) OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN FOOD PREPARATION/DISHWASHING AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM 10/19/2021 REPORT #2534969 NOT CORRECTED: VIOLATION #55 (6-501.11) MUST REGROUT FLOOR THROUGHOUT FOOD PREPARATION AREAS AND REAR DISHWASHING AREA. VIOLATION #55 (6-501.13) OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN FOOD PREPARATION/DISHWASHING AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST CORRECT PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.