ESENCIA URBAN KITCHEN Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH A CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MACHINE WAS NOT IN USE YET FOR THE DAY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRAION. DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST 50 PPM AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. MANAGER UNABLE TO TURN MACHINE FULLY ON AND GET IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY BY END OF INSPECTION.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE SMALL WOODEN SHELF BELOW THE MICROWAVE IN THE MAIN PREP AREA TO BE MADE OF UNFINISHED WOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA NEAR THE COFFEE MAKER TO BE SPRAYING EXCESSIVELY FROM SPOUT WHEN IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.

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 THE BATHROOM IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE WITHOUT A SELF CLOSING DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A SELF CLOSING BATHROOM DOOR AT THE BASEMENT BATHROOM.

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 VARIOUS PERSONAL ITEMS STORED ON THE VARIOUS SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS IN BOXES AND ON SHELVES WITH OTHER EQUIPMENT IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE AN AREA FOR ALL PERSONAL ITEM STORAGE, AND ENSURE ALL PERSONAL ITEMS ARE IN SAID AREA.

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 THE OVERHEAD EXHAUST TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD UP IN THE MAIN COOKING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OVERHEAD EXHAUST FILTERS FREE OF EXCESSIVE DUST AND GREASE BUILD UP.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED ONLY ONE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE 4 EMPLOYEES IN THE KITCHEN AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING, AND ALL NEW EMPLOYEES COMPLETE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED ONLY ONE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR THE 4 EMPLOYEES IN THE KITCHEN AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN FOOD HANDLER TRAINING, AND ALL NEW EMPLOYEES COMPLETE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.