BIEN ME SABE VENEZUELAN CAFE & RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON-SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING AND WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. 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 FACILITY MISSING EMPLOYEE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK AT THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND IN THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING SIGNAGE.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNITS IN THE FRONT AND REAR FOOD PREP AREAS CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK FOOD STORAGE ITEMS NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAMES IN THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO LABEL ALL FOOD ITEM STORAGE CONTAINERS THAT ARE NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND MAINTAIN.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED KITCHENWARE (SHEET TRAY) STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE SAID KITCHENWARE AND REFRAME FROM PUTTING KITCHENWARE ON THE FLOOR.

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE USE ARTICLES (FOAM TOGO CONTAINERS) NOT INVERTED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP AT THE ICE MACHINE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID AREA.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED IN THE EMPLOYEE'S TOILET ROOM A RECEPTACLE WITHOUT A COVER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT THEY MUST PROVIDE A RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS IN THE EMPLOYEE'S TOILET ROOM.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND BOXES AND LIDS ARE NOT ABLE TO CLOSE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO KEEP OUTSIDE RECEPTACLES MAINTAINED SO LIDS CAN BE PROPERLY CLOSED AND TIGHT FITTING. (PRI ITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B), CITATION ISSUED.

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 SEVERE GREASE BUILD UP ON THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA BY THE DEEP FRYING STATION. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN SAID FLOOR 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: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP AND DUST UNDER BOTH VENTILATION HOODS IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

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: NOTED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.

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.