ELSTON NUGGET INC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE HANDLE READY-TO-EAT FOOD (ONIONS) WITH THEIR BARE HANDS WHILE PREPARING A SALAD. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT BARE HAND CONTACT IS NOT ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED EGGS AT 48.4F, CHORIZO AT 51.6F, CHEESE AT 51.1F, AND SALSA AT 50.9F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROX. 30# OF FOOD WORTH $200. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DESCRIBE OR DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO ADD THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE TO THE CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER STATEMENT: "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR MAY CONTAIN RAW OR UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED THE HAND SOAP DISPENSER LOCATED IN A POSITION ON THE WALL ABOVE THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AND DIPPER WELL THAT COULD CONTAMINATE THE WATER AND UTENSILS IN THE DIPPER WELL. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MOVE THE HAND SOAP DISPENSER SO THAT SOAP OR WATER FROM HAND WASHING CANNOT CONTAMINATE CLEAN UTENSILS IN THE DIPPER WELL.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES AND COOLERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE WET WIPING CLOTHS IN A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: REPAIR THE STRIPPED COLD WATER HANDLE ON THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE DISH WASHING AREA.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE END CAP MISSING FROM ONE OF THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE END CAP MISSING FROM ONE OF THE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.