CHICAGO PITA KITCHEN Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVERD FRONT COLD HOLDING UNIT BELOW THE GRILL AT IMPROPER INTERIOR TEMPERATURE OF 49.2F. THIS COOLER HOLDS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. THIS COLD HOLDING COOLER WILL BE HELD FOR INSPECTION/TAGGED UNTIL REPAIR. CITATION ISSUED #7-38-005(A).

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: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES INSIDE COOLER LISTED ABOVE SUCH AS: 5lbs OF POLISH AT 53.1F, 3lbs PIZZA PUFFS AT 50.3F, 10lbs OF PORK KABOBS AT 47.5F, 15lbs of chicken at 45.4f AND 10lbs HAMBURGER AT 44.6F. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 43lbs OF FOOD AT $350 COST. CITATION ISSUED #7-38-005(A).

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1387840 DATE 7-6-15, (45)MUST PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE OR PROOF OF ENROLLEMENT,UPON NEXT INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS. CITATION ISSUED #7-42-090.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: NOTED THE REAR STORAGE SHELVING DIRTY. MUST CLEAN TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS. ALSO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.

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: FLOORS DIRTY THROUGH OUT ESPECIALLY BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND SHELVING. MUST CLEAN TO REMOVE SPILLS,DUST DEBRIS AND GREASE.

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: NOTED THE WALLS AND CEILING IN THE REAR PREP/DISH WASHING AREA AND IN THE FRONT BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT DIRTY. ALSO LIGHT SHIELDS,VENT COVER, FLITER AND HOOD ABOVE GRILL. MUST CLEAN.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: NOTED CLUTTER THROUGH STORAGE AREAS. MUST ORGANIZE FOR CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: NOTED CLUTTER THROUGH STORAGE AREAS. MUST ORGANIZE FOR CLEANING AND PEST MONITORING.

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.