AWASH ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY 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: NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE IS POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: SOME AREAS INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE ARE 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.

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: OBSERVED SEVEN LIVE ROACHES IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE FACILITY. AT THE MOP SINK, KITCHEN HAND SINK, STORAGE SHELVING, ICE MACHINE, BAR, AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE FOR ROACHES AND ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

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 SPLASH GUARD AT THE KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND THE ONE-COMPARTMENT PREP SINK.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: BROKEN/MISSING DOOR HANDLES ON THE DOORS OF THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: TORN RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON THE TALL REACH-IN COOLER. MUST 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INTERIOR OF BOTH OVENS WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN 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: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY WITH DEAD ROACHES.----WALLS AT THE KITCHEN THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK, REAR KITCHEN HALLWAY STORAGE AT THE WINDOW WITH DIRT AND FOOD SPLATTER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.---- WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN THE DINING ROOM, WASHROOMS, PREP AREA, AND DRY STORAGE.MISSING CEILING TILE IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE ALL.----WASHROOM CEILING VENTS WITH EXCESSIVE DUST.----BAR FLOOR DRAIN DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----MUST NOT USE PAPER AND DUCT TAPE AS WINDOW COVERING IN THE DRY FOOD STORAGE HALLWAY, OR DUCT TAPE ON THE WASHROOM WALL AS REPAIR.----HOLE IN THE WALL IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST SEAL.----MISSING FLOOR TILE UNDER KITCHEN METAL PREP TABLE ON THE WEST WALL. MUST REPLACE.----EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN FREEZER? MUST REMOVE.----SOILED/DIRTY LIGHT SHIELD IN THE REAR HALLWAY. MUST CLEAN 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE REAR HALLWAY DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

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.