CEDARS MEDITHERRANEAN KITCHEN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: NOTED REFRIGERATED FOOD STORAGE FACILITIES AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 46.5 DEGREES F. MUST REPAIR OR ADJUST SO THAT COOLER MAINTAINS 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A.

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 85LBS OF STEAK,COUS COUS, KUSHARY,SALMON,LAMB,RIBS,VARIOUS SAUCES AND COOKED VEGETABLES AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 45.8-82.0 DEGREES F. MUST MAINTAIN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW OR 140 DEGREES F AND ABOVE. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A

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.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: NOTED FOOD NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED DURING STORAGE. NOTED OPEN CONTAINER OF GROUND TUMERIC BEING IMPROPERLY STORED ALONG SIDE AND UNDERNEATH VARIOUS CHEMICALS SUCH AS FLOOR CLEANER,DEGREASER AND OVEN AND GRILL CLEANER. MUST PROPERLY PROTECT ALL FOODS DURING STORAGE. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: NOTED EVIDENCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS ON SITE,OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED AND NO COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 5 LARGE FLIES AND 30-35 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN 2ND FLOOR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS AND NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR. ALSO NOTED APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED BEHIND BOTH HOT WATER HEATERS,IN REAR 2ND FLOOR HALLWAY,IN 2ND FLOOR STORAGE ROOMS,ON SHELVES,ON INTERIOR OF BOX STORING WHOLE GINGER,ALONG WALLS AND THROUGHOUT. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS AND INSECTS,SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE AREAS. ALSO NOTED 1/4 INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR LEADING TO THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE. MUST REPAIR DOOR AND MAKE COMPLETELY INSECT AND RODENT PROOF. ALSO, NO COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE. MUST PROVIDE. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020.

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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED - Comments: NOTED HAND WASHING FACILITIES NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. NOTED WASTE WATER BACKING UP FROM THE OPEN SITE DRAIN AT THE FRONT HAND SINK WHEN WATER TURNED ON IN THE SINK BASIN. ALSO NOTED WASTE WATER BACKING UP FROM THE OPEN SITE DRAIN AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK CONNECTED TO THE HAND SINK. MUST REPAIR SO THAT ALL SINKS DRAIN PROPERLY. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030

Poor ventilation causes condensation that can drip contaminants into food.

Adequate ventilation required in all areas.

Mechanical ventilation where needed; Hoods over cooking equipment; Filters cleaned regularly; Air flows from clean to less clean areas.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REPLACE WORN AND STAINED DISH WASHING RACKS AT DISH MACHINE. MUST ALSO PAINT RUSTY STORAGE CART IN 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA. MUST PAINT PEELING SHELVES ON INTERIOR OF COKE REACH IN COOLER IN 2ND FLOOR PREP AREA.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL FRYERS,COOLERS,PREP TABLES,SINKS AND ALL EQUIPMENT ON SITE. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR TOP PANEL OF ICE MACHINE.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDER COOK LINES,UNDER SINKS,ALONG WALLS AND THROUGHOUT PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN WALLS UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS,BEHIND COOK LINES AND IN ALL PREP AREAS. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST ALSO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN WALLS UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS,BEHIND COOK LINES AND IN ALL PREP AREAS. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST ALSO REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR.

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.