EMA Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE DRINKING FROM UNCOVERED BEVERAGE CONTAINER STORED ABOVE CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN THE DISH MACHINE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND STORE EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES IN A CONTAINER THAT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EXPOSED EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS AND MAINTAIN. PERSON-IN-CHARGE CLEANED AND SANITIZED ALL EXPOSED EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL TCS FOOD ITEMS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING IN THE SELF-SERVICE AREA SALAD LINE COOLER: TOMATO/CUCUMBER SALAD AT 52.1F, MIXED VEGETABLE SALAD AT 47.8F, PREPARED SAUCE AT 67.8F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE TCS FOOD ITEMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DISCARDED ALL TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES AND DENATURED WITH BLEACH ON-SITE. 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 SELF-SERVICE AREA LINE COOLER AT 55.0F, IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING. TAGGED COOLER FOR INSPECTION WHILE ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO CEASE USE OF COOLER TO STORE TCS FOODS UNTIL REPAIRED OR REPLACED AND RE-INSPECTED BY CDPH. 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOOD ITEMS STORED COVERED WHILE COOLING: GRILLED VEGETABLES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, GARLIC SAUCE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, COOKED VEGETABLES AT THE SALAD LINE AREA UPRIGHT COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE COOLING TCS FOOD ITEMS LOOSELY COVERED OR UNCOVERED AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED KITCHEN AREA SALAD PREP COOLER MISSING INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS LOCATION IN ALL COLD-HOLDING UNITS USED TO STORE TCS FOOD AND MAINTAIN.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED IN-USE UTENSILS STORED WITH HANDLE IN THE FOOD ITEM IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: STORED IN FALAFEL MIX IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, STORED IN ICE AT THE BAR AREA ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE UTENSILS AND STORE IN-USE UTENSILS WITH THE HANDLE OUT OF THE FOOD ITEM TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT (PLATES) STORED UNCOVERED/NOT INVERTED AT THE MAIN COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT COVERED OR INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED INTERIOR CAVITY OF KITCHEN AREA SALAD COOLER TO BE SOILED WITH DEBRIS AND WATER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THREE CEILING PANELS ABOVE KITCHEN AREA COOK LINE TO BE HEAVILY SOILED AND NO LONGER EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND REPLACE CEILING TILES WITH TILES THAT AREA SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE 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 THREE CEILING PANELS ABOVE KITCHEN AREA COOK LINE TO BE HEAVILY SOILED AND NO LONGER EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND REPLACE CEILING TILES WITH TILES THAT AREA SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE 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.