BUFFALO JOE'S ON HOWARD Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED -

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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED -

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HANDWASHING SINK INSTALLED AT BBQ COOKING AND PREP AREA. HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE INSTALLED AT SAID AREA WITH COLD/HOT RUNNING WATER ALSO SOAP AND PAPER TOWEL OR HAND DRYING DEVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-38-030(C) NO 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED ON BOTH HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AREAS. EMPLOYEE WERE HANDLING/SERVING FOODS. UPON MY REQUEST PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED BY THE OWNER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND 8# OF COOKED RIB TIPS STORED ON SHELF UNDER THE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT TEMP OF 107F TO 110F; ALSO 8# OF COOKED RIB TIPS STORED INSIDE THE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT TEMP OF 110F TO 13OF. INSTRUCTED THAT TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 135F AND ABOVE.FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY THE OWNER/MANAGER. POUND 16 VALUE 240. PRIORITY VIOLATION: 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND TCS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE STORED INSIDE THE FRONT CASE: 9 PIECES EACH OF CHEESE CAKE AT TEMP OF 44.6F TO 51.6F, ALSO TWO INDIVIDUALS READY TO GO CONTAINERS WITH MIXED SALADS(CHOPPED LETTUCE,SLICED TOMATOES AND BABY CARROTS) AT TEMP OF 72.9F. FOUND TCS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE STORED INSIDE PREP LINE COOLER:25-2oz EACH OF RANCH DRESSING AT TEMP OF 61.3F; MAYO AT TEMP OF 52.5F; RANCH DRESSING AT TEMP OF 51.6F, SLICE TOMATOES AT TEMP OF 62.7F. FOOD PRODUCTS DISCARDED AND DENATURED: POUNDS 7,VALUE 35.CONSOLIDATE WITH ABOVE CITATION

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 PREPARED TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED. MUST PROPERLY DATE LABELED FOODS WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS ON ALL TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: PREMISES SERVES HAMBURGERS. OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR FOOD ITEMS/PRODUCTS OFFERED AND REMINDER * STATEMENT FOR THE FOOD PRODUCTS OFFERED. MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. - -

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: FOODS ON DISPLAY NOT PROPERLY LABELED. MUST LABEL PACKAGES WITH FOOD NAME, INGREDIENTS, NET CONTENTS, SOURCE AND LIST OF ALLERGENS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED -

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE. -

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: KNIFE MUST BE STORED AT KNIVES RACK,DO NOT STORE IT BETWEEN EQUIPMENT.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: BUILD-UP ICE ON CONDENSER UNIT AND PIPES INSIDE THE WALK-IN-FREEZER.WRAPPING ON PIPES OF CONDENSER UNIT INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER BROKEN, REPAIR ISSUES.

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: LEFT DOOR OF PREP COOLER IN POOR REPAIR,NOT ABLE TO CLEAN: LINER BROKEN, INSTRUCTED TO 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 CABINET OF THE DEEP FRYER AND REACH-IN COOLER RUBBER GASKETS WITH GREASE AND 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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: WASHROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING AT REAR AREA.

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: OUTSIDE AREA BY THE GARBAGE CONTAINER AND PARKING LOT WITH EXCESS ITEMS FROM BROKEN WOOD,PALLETS,PAPER ,CUPS ETC,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA TO MINIMIZE RODENT/INSECT ACTIVITIES

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE RECEPTACLE IN THE REAR PARKING LOT WITH EXCESSIVE SPILLED GREASE ON THE SURROUNDING GROUND AND ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL SPILLED GREASE AND CLEAN CONTAINER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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: CEMENT FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER PITTED,UNEVEN NOT ABLE TO CLEAN(GRIME BETWEEN CEMENT FLOOR); ALSO CEMENT UNDER THE WHEEL OF COOKING UNIT IS BROKEN AND NOT CLEANABLE(GREASE BETWEEN BROKEN CEMENT FLOOR).SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL

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: NO MECHANICAL VENTILATION PROVIDED IN THE WASHROOMS,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE

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: NOT ALL EMPLOYEE HAVE CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES,ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED

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: NOT ALL EMPLOYEE HAVE CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES,ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED

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.