BEST SUB INCORPORATED Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE COOKED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK WITH NO HOT WATER. HOT WATER NOZZLE WOULD NOT TURN ON. MANAGER RESTORED HOT WATER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL HAND WASHING SINKS ARE PROVIDED WITH HOT WATER WITH A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100 F AT ALL TIMES. 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOODS HELD AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 49-52 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD TCS FOODS ARE HELD AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED 30 POUNDS OF ITALIAN BEEF, 2 POUNDS OF COOKED BEEF, 5 POUNDS OF CHOPPED LETTUCE, 10 POUNDS OF CHICKEN, 10 POUNDS TURKEY, AND 10 POUNDS OF HAM ($500): PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL CONTAINER AND PLACED INTO ANOTHER CONTAINER WITHOUT 7-DAY DATE OF DISPOSAL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL TCS FOODS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER DISPLAY 7-DAY DATE OF DISPOSAL. THE MANAGER DISCARDED 5 POUNDS OF ITALIAN BEEF, 1 POUND OF TURKEY, AND 1 POUND OF HAM ( $25) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED VARIOUS PIECES OF COLD HOLDING EQUIPMENT NOT IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. OBSERVED WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 52 F; OBSERVED 3 COOLERS UNABLE TO CLOSE PROPERLY DUE TO BEING DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL COOLERS. COOLERS TAGGED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM FOOD THERMOMETER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD FOOD IS PROVIDED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED ROACH INFESTATION ON SITE. OBSERVED 25 LIVE ROACHES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY, INCLUDING THE KITCHEN PREP AREA, SERVICE AREA, DISH AREA, AND OUTSIDE TOILET ROOM. OBSERVED MORE THAN 20 SMALL FLIES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. PRIORITY 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED NO EVIDENCE OF AT LEAST 2 PEST CONTROL INSPECTIONS WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION REPORT GIVEN WAS DATED JUNE 21, 2022. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT AT LEAST 2 PEST CONTROL SERVICES ARE PERFORMED WITHIN EVERY CALENDAR YEAR. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RUBBER-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH BLACK BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE RUBBER-LIKE SUBSTANCE FROM 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN ORDER TO MAKE SINK SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED HEAVY ICE BUILD-UP IN FREEZER CHESTS AND WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DEFROST 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FAN IN WALK IN COOLER WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SERVICE SINK.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH LIGHT GREASE BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.

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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED 1 FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND MULTIPLE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES.

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: OBSERVED 1 FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND MULTIPLE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ENSURE THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS HAVE FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES.

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.