CITY GYROS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD-HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED IN THE PREP COOLERS. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 50F, BEEF AT 54-64F, CHEESE AT 55F, GYRO SAUCE AT 52F, CUT LETTUCE AT 51F, PIZZA PUFFS AT 48F, HOT DOGS AT 47F, AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE AT 45F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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 COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE 3-DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 52F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE COLD TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NO WORKING THERMOMETER WAS OBSERVED INSIDE OF THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE HOT WATER ON THE PREMISES AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND HAND WASHING SINKS. OBSERVED THE WATER TEMPERATURE TO BE 70F AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER ABOVE 110F AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER DISHWASHING AND ABOVE 100F AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Without proper water temperatures, cannot sanitize or clean properly.

Adequate hot and cold running water required.

Hot water 120°F minimum at fixtures; Cold water available; Sufficient pressure; From approved source.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE FLOOR BENEATH THE DEEP FRYER.

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: CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2598482 ON 8/2/24 NOT CORRECTED: 38 - OBSERVED A 1/2" GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DOOR SWEEP TO PROTECT ALL OUTER OPENINGS. 57 - ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2598482 ON 8/2/24 NOT CORRECTED: 38 - OBSERVED A 1/2" GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOOR. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A DOOR SWEEP TO PROTECT ALL OUTER OPENINGS. 57 - ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.