CEDARS MEDITHERRANEAN KITCHEN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A HAND WASH SINK CONVENIENTLY LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AREA FOR EMPLOYEE USE WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED AND DISPENSED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO 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 TOWEL AT HAND WASH SINK IN DISH WASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLER TO BE IMPROPER: RAW CHICKEN 47-49.6F, LAMB SHISH-KEBOBS 46.9F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DENATURED AND DISCARDED 10LBS OF PRODUCT WORTH $150.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: Observed TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods in walk in coolers with prep dates. Instructed must properly label all TCS foods with discard date. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: PREP SERVICE COOLER AT FRONT CONTAINING TCS FOOD ITEMS(CHICKEN,LAMB) NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. NOTED SERVICE COOLER AT 50F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE EQUIPMENT UNTIL MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. EQUIPMENT TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL WIPING CLOTHS ON COUNTERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS IN PREP AREA. MUST BE PROPERLY STORED IN ADEQUATE CHEMICAL SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NOTED NO SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE TO PROPERLY MONITOR STRENGTT OF SANITIZER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WASHROOMS USED BY WOMEN.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN 1ST/2ND FLOOR PREP AREAS, HOT LINE AND WALK-IN COOLERS OF FOOD PARTICLES, SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

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: MUST REPLACE MISSING CEILING PANEL FOR LIGHTS OR PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD FOR BULBS AT CEILING WHERE MISSING IN FIRST FLOOR DISH WASHING AREA.

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: MUST REPLACE MISSING CEILING PANEL FOR LIGHTS OR PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD FOR BULBS AT CEILING WHERE MISSING IN FIRST FLOOR DISH WASHING AREA.

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.