CAFE ISTANBUL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED A MALE EMPLOYEE IN A WHITE SHIRT PREPARE SALAD WITH BARE HANDS. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED ONE SALAD VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $20 AND HAD STAFF PUT ON GLOVES. INSTRUCTED FOOD EMPLOYEES MUST ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES WHEN HANDLING READY-TO-EAT ITEMS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SOAP AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN BAR AND REAR PREP/DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

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 NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED MUSSELS ON THE MENU AND NO SHELLSTOCK TAGS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN SHELLSTOCK TAGS ON SITE FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS AFTER SELLING LAST MUSSEL AND DATE SHELLSTOCK TAGS WITH DATE OF LAST ITEM SOLD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED A LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM OF CHLORINE. THE MACHINE WAS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DISH MACHINE SO THAT IT IS CAPABLE OF DELIVERING CHLORINE IN CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN 50-100 PPM. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED ITEMS ON THE MENU SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED, SUCH AS STEAKS, WITHOUT REMINDER, DISCLOSURE, AND IDENTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED TO ADD REMINDER, DISCLOSURE, AND IDENTIFICATION TO ALL VERSIONS OF THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION WAS 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: OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF BULK INGREDIENTS SUCH AS FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC. NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH THE COMMON NAME.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN HANDLE ON PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER LOCATED AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN REAR PREP/DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD-UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON THE GROUND IN THE STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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 ALL LIGHTS IN BOTH HOODS ARE BURNT OUT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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: OBSERVED 2 EMPLOYEES WHO WORK AS DISHWASHERS WITHOUT FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2559875 DATED 6/24/2022: #58 "OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2559875 DATED 6/24/2022: #58 "OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH THE COMPLETION OF TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.