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

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: A SIGN OR POSTER THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS IS NOT PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. PROVIDE A CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGN AT EACH HAND SINK.

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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: FROZEN RAW FISH HAS BEEN THAWED WHILE STILL WRAPPED IN REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING (ROP). PACKAGING MUST BE REMOVED FROM FISH IN ROP PRIOR TO THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION OR RUNNING WATER.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: FROZEN FISH IS THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOOD MUST BE THAWED: UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41F OR LESS; COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER AT A WATER TEMPERATURE OF 70F OR BELOW AND FOR A PERIOD THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THAWED PORTIONS OF READY-TO-EAT FOOD TO RISE ABOVE 41F; PART OF A COOKING PROCESS; OR USING A PROCEDURE IF A PORTION OF FROZEN READY-TO-EAT FOOD IS THAWED AND PREPARED FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO AN INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER'S ORDER.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: ICE BUILD-UP WAS FOUND IN CONTACT WITH FOOD STORED IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. THE FACILITY MUST DISCARD, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND PREPARATION COUNTER SURFACES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHES MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILY.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: CRATES USED AS ELEVATION AND CARDBOARD USED AS LINING ON SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN FACILITY MUST BE REMOVED. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH ITEMS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, EASY TO MONITOR DEBRIS ON OR UNDERNEATH, DURABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS ARE NOT COVERED PROPERLY WITH GARBAGE OVERFILLING DUMPSTERS CREATING A NUISANCE AND PEST ATTRACTION. OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED WITH TIGHT-FITTING LIDS, DOORS, OR COVERS. 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: CRACKED TILES FOUND NEAR WALL OF WASH COMPARTMENT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND CRACKED CEILING TILE NEAR MOP SINK. FACILITY MUST RESURFACE/REPLACE CRACKED/MISSING TILES AND ENSURE SURFACES IS SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, DURABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT.

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: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND IN THE OUTSIDE STORAGE SHED LOCATED NEAR OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS. THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.

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: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND IN THE OUTSIDE STORAGE SHED LOCATED NEAR OUTSIDE DUMPSTERS. THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.

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.