⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
PASS W/ CONDITIONS Risk 1 (High)

ERIE CAFE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ERIE CAFE 536 W ERIE ST, CHICAGO 60610 Restaurant
May 23, 2023 Complaint License #37220
14
Total Violations
7
Critical
4
Major
3
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

14
Violation #9
CRITICAL
NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: FOOD EMPLOYEE USED BARE HANDS GARNISH PLATES OF READY-TO-EAT FOODS ON THE EXPEDITE LINE. FOOD EMPLOYEES SHALL USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS/TONGS, DISPENSING EQUIPMENT OR SINGLE USE GLOVES WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS. DISCUSSED IMPORTANCE OF WEARING GLOVES WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS WITH EMPLOYEE AND MANAGER. 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.
Violation #14
CRITICAL
REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD IS NOT RECORDED ON ALL SHELLSTOCK TAGS THAT WERE PROVIDED ON SITE. THE FACILITY MUST RECORD THE DATE WHEN THE LAST SHELLSTOCK WAS SOLD. FACILITY MANAGER WENT THROUGH ALL INVOICE RECEIPTS IN HOUSE TO VERIFY WHEN LAST SHELLSTOCK ITEMS WERE SOLD PER TAG. 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.
Violation #15
MAJOR
FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED RAW STEAK STORED ABOVE READY-TO-EAT FOODS SUCH AS SALADS, VEGETABLES, AND COOKED PASTA IN 2 DOOR STAND UP COOLER IN COOKLINE. MANAGER RELOACTED RAW STEAK TO THE BOTTOM SHELF. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.
Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.
Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.
Violation #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 POUNDS OF COOKED TOMATO SAUCE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER TEMPERATURE MEASURED BETWEEN 49-51F AND APPROXIMATELY 5 POUNDS OF COOKED SAUSAGE LEFT OUT ON THE PREP-COUNTER NEAR COOKLIKE TEMPERATURE MEASURED AT 97F. TOTAL APPROXIMATE COST DISCARDED WAS $100. ITEMS MUST BE 41F AND BELOW. 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.
Violation #37
MAJOR
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: DRY STORAGE FOODS CONTAINERS MISSING LABELS IN THE BASEMENT PREP-AREA. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.
All food properly labeled with required information.
Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: FLY TAPE STRIPS HUNG IN THE MEAT/PASTA PREP AREA IN THE BASEMENT. FACILITY MUST REMOVE FROM FOOD/DISH STORAGE AND PREPARATION AREAS. MANAGER REMOVED ALL FLY STRIPS.
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.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON CUTTING BOARDS SCATTERED IN THE BASEMENT AND MAIN KITCHEN. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.
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.
Violation #43
MINOR
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: UTENSILS STORED IN STAGNANT WATER NEAR SALAD STATION. STORE IN-USE UTENSILS: 1) IN THE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE UP AND OUT OF THE FOOD ITEM; 2) STORED ON A CLEAN AND SANITIZED SIRFACE; 3) IN RUNNING WATER; 4) IN CONTAINER OF HOT WATER MAINTAINED AT OR ABOVE 135F.
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.
Violation #44
MINOR
UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED CLEAN UTENSILS SUCH AS FORKS, KNIVES, AND PLATES OUT ON DISPLAY IS NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION AT CUSTOMER TABLES. UTENSILS MUST BE COVERED AND/OR WRAPED CLEAN UTENSILS SHALL BE HANDLED, DISPLAYED, AND DISPENSED SO THAT FOOD AND LIP CONTACT SURFACES ARE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
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.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: CUTTING BOARDS ON THE COOKLINE ARE SERVERELY SCRATCHED WHICH PREVENTS PROPER CLEANING AND SANITIZING OF EQUIPMENT. FACILITY MUST RESURFACE BOARD OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #48
CRITICAL
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: AN IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR/TEST STRIPS IS NOT PROVIDED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MEASURING THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE FOR THE HOT TEMPERATURE DISHWASHER. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE-SENSATIVE THERMOMETER/TEST STRIPS. FACILITY PURCHASED AND PROVIDED WHILE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.
Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.
3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.
Violation #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT FOUND ON ICE MACHINE AND COFFEE MACHINES. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
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.
Violation #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK UNDER THE 3COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST REPAIR 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.
Violation #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAK UNDER THE 3COMPARTMENT SINK. FACILITY MUST REPAIR 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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections