CAFE 353 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES 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 NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM ON FIRST FLOOR USED BY EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.

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: OBSERVED IMPROPER MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 61.7-69.1F AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM ON FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED A HANDWASHING SINK SHALL BE EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE WATER AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 100F THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER FRESH HOT WATER SANITIZING RINSE FOR A STATIONARY RACK SINGLE TEMPERATURE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT 126F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE, THE TEMPERATURE OF THE FRESH HOT WATER SANITIZING RINSE AS IT ENTERS THE MANIFOLD MAY NOT BE LESS THAN 165F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED CONTAINER OF HALF AND HALF AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 51.4F. CORRECTED ON SITE HALF AND HALF VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY MANAGER.(VALUED AT $1.40/ WEIGHING 2LBS)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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED FLOUR IN WHITE BIN NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED FOOD NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER SHALL BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

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 APPROXIMATELY 80 SMALL FLIES IN FACILITY. SMALL FLY ACTIVITY OBSERVED IN REAR PREP AREAS, STORAGE AREA, DISHWASHING AREA AND FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY IN FACILITY AND CLEAN SAID AREAS. RECOMMENDED PEST CONTROL SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 4/16/2024. 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON SMALL ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT UNDERNEATH ESPRESSO MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED GASKET ON SMALL ONE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT UNDERNEATH ESPRESSO MACHINE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED TEMPERATURE OF THE WASH SOLUTION IN HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 108F. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WASH SOLUTION IN SPRAY TYPE WAREWASHERS THAT USE HOT WATER TO SANITIZE FOR A STATIONARY RACK, DUAL TEMPERATURE MACHINE MAY NOT BE LESS THAN 150F. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ICE MACHINE WITH A GRAY AND BLACK MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE ON BASE OF SHIELD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SHIELD AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.

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 NONWORKING HANDWASHING SINK IN MENS WASHROOM CLOSEST TO DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID HANDWASHING SINK. (NOTE: THERE ARE TWO OTHER HANDWASHING SINKS IN SAID WASHROOM THAT CAN BE USED BY EMPLOYEES.) OBSERVED LEAKING DRAIN PIPE OF DUMP SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA NEAR THE DELI STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAIN PIPE.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: UNABLE TO LOCATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ESPRESSO MACHINE IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THREE NONWORKING LIGHTS IN REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NON WORKING LIGHTS IN REAR PREP AREAS.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THREE NONWORKING LIGHTS IN REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NON WORKING LIGHTS IN REAR PREP AREAS.

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.