DELMONICO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BLACK AND BEIGE MOLDLIKE SUBSTANCE AT BASE OF SHIELD OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO DESTROY ICE AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 48.2-60.4F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HARD BOILED EGG(48.7F), SLICED TOMATOES(53.8F),CHICKEN SALAD(50.5F), TUNA SALAD(54.1F), PASTA SALAD(54.1F), CHEESE SLICES(57.9F), RAW EGG IN SHELL(55.3F), SLICED WATERMELON(50.5F), SALAD CONTAINING SLICED TOMATOES(57.6-60.4F), CANTOLOUPE AND HONEY DEW CHUNKS(50.9F), COTTAGE CHEESE(48.2F), POTATO SALAD(51.6F), CHEESE CUBES(51.4F), PEAS(51.1F) AND SALAD CONTAINING LETTUCE(49.6-53.2F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $125 WEIGHING 20LBS. 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO ASTERISK ON MENU IDENTIFYING ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ON MENU THAT CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK CAN BE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED NON WORKING THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT, WITH ONE TOP COLD HOLDING WELL AND PREP SURFACE, IN FRONT PREP AREA AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 59.4F.(NOTE: NON WORKING THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT NOT IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION.) INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW AND AND INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE A COLD HOLDING UNIT THAT MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW IN FRONT PREP AREA. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON THREE DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT, WITH ONE TOP COLD HOLDING WELL AND PREP SURFACE IN FRONT PREP AREA. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED FOUR LIVE ROACHES CRAWLING ON BOX IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND FLOOR IN REAR PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY IN FACILITY, RECOMMENDED PEST CONTROL SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 8/28/2025 TO ELIMINATE ROACH ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON FLOORS, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT, ON SHELVES AND IN INTERIOR OF CABINETS IN DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD ROACHES IN FACILITY AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED UNWRAPPED SINGLE USE KNIVES AND FORKS FOR CONSUMER SELF SERVICE STORED WITH HANDLES DOWN NEXT TO REGISTERS IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE UNWRAPPED SINGLE USE KNIVES AND FORKS FOR CONSUMER SELF SERVICE WITH THE HANDLES UP SO THAT UNWRAPPED KNIVES AND FORKS ARE NOT CONTAMINATED BY CONSUMERS OR EMPLOYEES. CORRECTED ON SITE UNWRAPPED SINGLE USE KNIVES AND FORKS FOR CONSUMER SELF SERVICE STORED WITH HANDLES UP BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NON WORKING RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IN WOMNE'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR NON WORKING RIGHT HANDWASHING SINK IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND MAINTAIN.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILDUP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS, ON SHELVES AND IN INTERIOR OF CABIENETS IN REAR PREP, MIDDLE PREP, FRONT PREP, EMPLOYEE CHANGING/BREAK ROOM AND REAR STORAGE ROOM WITH UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

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 GROUT MISSING IN BETWEEN TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPLACE MSSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES IN ALL PREP AREAS(FRONT, MIDDLE, AND REAR), STORAGE ROOM WITH UTILITY SINK, DISHWASHING AREA, HALLWAYS AND WALK IN COOLER FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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 GROUT MISSING IN BETWEEN TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPLACE MSSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES IN ALL PREP AREAS(FRONT, MIDDLE, AND REAR), STORAGE ROOM WITH UTILITY SINK, DISHWASHING AREA, HALLWAYS AND WALK IN COOLER FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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.