⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

CAFE 53 Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CAFE 53 1369 E 53RD ST, CHICAGO 60615 Restaurant
October 29, 2015 Canvass Re-Inspection License #2084345
12
Total Violations
3
Critical
3
Major
6
Minor
2
Corrected On Site

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

12
Violation #14
CORRECTED CRITICAL
PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1386509 10/22/15 #18 STILL FINDING FRONT DOOR FRAME NOT TIGHT FITTING.MANAGER IS ON SITE REPAIRING DOOR AT THIS TIME.(CRITICAL 7-42-090)
Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.
Previous critical violations must be corrected.
All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.
This violation was corrected during the inspection.
Violation #18
CORRECTED CRITICAL
NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED SEE VIOLATION #14.
Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.
Building openings must be protected against pest entry.
Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.
This violation was corrected during the inspection.
Violation #21
CRITICAL
* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW WHILE CHICKEN,TURKEY,HUMMUS IS BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED.MUST PROVIDE AND POST CERTIFICATE.(SERIOUS 7-38-012)
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.
Violation #32
MAJOR
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVING UNITS IN 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER & TABLE TOP COOLER .MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK NEXT TO PREP COOLER.
Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.
Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.
Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.
Violation #33
MAJOR
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DUST FROM OVER HEAD HANGING UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA & REAR PREP AREA SHELVING UNITS.MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM ALL COOLERS,INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF STORAGE CABINETS,DISH RACKS,DIPPING WELL,COUNTER TOPS.
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.
Violation #34
MINOR
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOOR UNDER,AROUND,ALONG WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS,FOOD STORAGE AREA,MOP SINK CLOSET.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA.
Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.
Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.
Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.
Violation #35
MINOR
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST CLEAN DUST BUILD UP FROM WALLS IN PREP AREA,DINING AREA,DOORS AT MOP SINK CLOSET,VENTILATION VENTS IN TOILETROOMS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE HOLES IN WOMEN'S TOILETROOM DOOR.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS THROUGHT PREP AREAS AND DINING AREA.
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.
Violation #36
MINOR
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS ON LIGHTS IN BOTH PREP AREAS.
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.
Violation #40
MINOR
REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE PROBE AND REFRIGERATOR THERMOMETERS.
Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.
Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.
Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.
Violation #41
MAJOR
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN FOOD STORAGE AREA,CASH REGISTER AREA.
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.
Violation #43
MINOR
FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE HOOKS TO HANG WET MOPS.MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
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.
Violation #43
MINOR
FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: Inspector Comments: MUST PROVIDE HOOKS TO HANG WET MOPS.MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION.
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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections