CHICAGO'S HOME OF CHICKEN & WAFFLES Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES NEAR HOT HOLDING UNIT. FOUND GRILLED ONIONS @ 97.5F SITTING ON SHELF ON HOT HOLDING UNIT; FOUND A PAN OF COOKED POTATOES AND PEPPERS IN A PAN ON COUNTER @ 125.9F. INSTRUCTED ALL HOT TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD @ 135F OR HIGHER AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN PANS AND CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA AND IN COOLERS. FOUND EGG WASH @ 47.8F; SHREDDED CHEESE @ 45.5F; COOKED BEANS @ 51F; SALMON @47.1F; COOKED PASTA 51.4F; CHICKEN @ 55.1F. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD (IN REFRIGERATION) @ 41F OR LOWER AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE ABOVE VIOLATION 3-501.16(A:1) FOR CITATION.

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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING METHOD IN USE. OBSERVED FISH SITTING IN STANDING WATER IN 1 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MUST USE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING APPROVED METHOD FOR THAWING: IN REFRIGERATION, IN A MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS, OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER WITH SUFFICIENT WATER VELOCITY TO AGITATE AND FLOAT OFF LOOSE PARTICLES IN AN OVERLFOW. MANAGER CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 SMALL, BLACK FLIES ON WALLS, CEILINGS AND FLYING AROUND IN REAR STORAGE ROOM AND IN HALLWAY. INSTRUCTED MUST CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE TO MINIMIZE PEST ACTIVITY. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPER STORED ON COUNTERS AND CUTTING BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS INSIDE A 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DARK GROVES IN STAINED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP COOLER. MUST RESURFACE OR REPLACE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED TOWEL USED AS A MEAN FOR REPAIR ON HANDLE OF DISH MACHINE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED LIQUID AND DEBRIS IN CRACKS BETWEEN TILES IN FLOOR OF COOKING AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND REPAIR TO MAKE EVEN, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE (GROUT). MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED LIQUID AND DEBRIS IN CRACKS BETWEEN TILES IN FLOOR OF COOKING AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND REPAIR TO MAKE EVEN, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE (GROUT). MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.