EMPEROR'S CHOICE RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED NO SHELLSTOCK TAG IN A BOWL OF CLAMS STORED INSIDE THE 2 DOOR COOLER IN THE MAIN FOOD PREP AREA. INFORMED MANAGER THAT TAG MUST REMAIN INSIDE THE BOWL/ CONTAINERS OF SHELLSTOCK UNTIL EMPTY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROVAL SOURCES OF SHELLFISH AND MAINTAIN TAGS FOR 90 DAYS ON PREMISES. MANAGER DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 3LBS AT $25 DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BLACK MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGHOUT INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE STORED IN THE BASEMENT. ALSO NOTED SAID SUBSTANCE ON ICE SHIELD AND SCREWS INSIDE UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE MACHINE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 80-100 MICE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. ALSO, OBSERVED 15-25 LIVE ANTS. THE FOLLOWING FLOORS AND SURFACES ON THE MAIN LEVEL WERE OBSERVED WITH MICE DROPPINGS: IN THE STORAGE CLOSET IN THE DINING AREA, UNDER THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE, BEHIND THE DOOR LEADING TO THE BASEMENT, ON THE SHELVING UNIT UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES, INSIDE OF A BOX WITH DRY INGREDIENTS STORED UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLE, AND ON THE LID OF A CLEAR DRY INGREDIENT STORAGE CONTAINER. THE FLOORS AND SURFACES IN THE BASMENT: IN THE HOT WATER TANK CLOSET, IN AN OPENING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DOORWAY TO THE ALCOHOL STORAGE CLOSET, AND ON A WOODEN CART IN THE HOT WATER TANK CLOSET. THE LIVE ANTS WERE OBSERVED ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE ANT ACTIVITY, REMOVE MICE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED NOT TO STORE FOOD ON FLOOR AND ATLEAST 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP ON THE LOWER ELECTRICAL BOX LOCATED IN BETWEEN THE FOOD PREP TABLES ACROSS FROM THE WOK STATION, IN THE MAIN FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE BUILD UP 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 THE WALLBASE NEAR THE DEEP FRYING UNITS WITH SEVERE GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN 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 CLUTTER IN THE STORAGE CLOSET IN THE DINING AREA. OBSERVED 4-5 UNUSED ROUND TABLES STORED UNDER THE REAR STAIRCASE IN THE BASEMENT CREATING CLUTTER. ALSO, OBSERVED STANDING, GREEN WATER UNDER THE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED DECLUTTER, REMOVE UNNECCESSARY ITEMS, AND REMOVE STANDING WATER.

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 CLUTTER IN THE STORAGE CLOSET IN THE DINING AREA. OBSERVED 4-5 UNUSED ROUND TABLES STORED UNDER THE REAR STAIRCASE IN THE BASEMENT CREATING CLUTTER. ALSO, OBSERVED STANDING, GREEN WATER UNDER THE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED DECLUTTER, REMOVE UNNECCESSARY ITEMS, AND REMOVE STANDING WATER.

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.