CHICKEN HUT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK - Comments: NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON PREMISES TO CHECK SANITIZING CONCENTRATION WHILE SANITIZING DISHWARE, POTS, PANS, UTENSILS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM 10-20-15 NOR CORRECTED. #31- OBSERVED BOWLS USED TO DISPENSE FOOD IN THE BULK SALT AND GARLIC CONTAINERS IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO USE A HANDLED SCOOP TO DISPENSE FOOD AND TO STORE THE SCOOP IN THE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE FACING UP TO PREVENT INDIRECT HAND CONTACT WITH BULK FOOD ITEMS.#36- LIGHT SHIELDS ON THE LIGHT FIXTURE BETWEEN THE DEEP FREEZER AND DRY STORAGE RACK IS MISSING THE END CAPS. MUST PROVIDE MISSING END CAPS FOR THE LIGHT SHIELDS MENTIONED ABOVE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 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 IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED. ALL PREPARED READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS COLE SLAW AND POTATO SALAD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE LABELED AND DATED.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: PLASTIC ICE SHOOT ON THE SODA DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH PINK SLIME SUBSTANCE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: HOLES IN THE WALLS OF THE WASHROOM. MUST SEAL. DAMAGED, PEELING WALL BASEBOARD COVING UNDER THE BASEMENT TWO COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND THE BOX FREEZER. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR. HOLE IN THE WALL BEHIND THE TWO COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST SEAL. WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE WASHROOM ENTRANCE AND THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM. MUST REPLACE. DIRTY CEILING VENTS WITH EXCESSIVE DUST ABOVE THE SODA DISPENSING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: MISSING LIGHT SHIELD AT THE BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE, MISSING SHIELD END CAPS ABOVE THE BASEMENT PREP. MUST REPLACE.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: GAS STOVE IN THE BASEMENT PREP NOT PROPERLY VENTILATED. METAL HOOD ABOVE STOVE WITHOUT MECHANICAL VENTILATION. NO AIR SUCTION INTO VENT. MUST PROVIDE PROPER VENTILATION OR REMOVE THE GAS STOVE.

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.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: WIPING CLOTHS IN ALL FOOD PREP AREAS MUST BE STORED IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION. ICE SCOOPS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. NOT ON TOP OF THE MACHINE.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN THE FOOD-PREP AREA - Comments: SEVERAL CUSTOMERS OBSERVED ENTERING THE FOOD PREP AREA/DISH AREA TO UTILIZE THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND THE PREP AREA EXPOSED HAND SINK. CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED AREAS.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IN THE FOOD-PREP AREA - Comments: SEVERAL CUSTOMERS OBSERVED ENTERING THE FOOD PREP AREA/DISH AREA TO UTILIZE THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM AND THE PREP AREA EXPOSED HAND SINK. CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED AREAS.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.