FALAFEL & GRILL Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS HELD AT THE FOLLOWING IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN A REACH IN COOLER LOCATED ON THE MAIN PREP LINE OPPOSITE THE FYERS: HUMMUS AT 50.7F, GARLIC SAUCE AT 57.8F, SPANOKOPITA AT 54.7F, AND TAHINI SAUCE AT 51.8F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DESTROYED APPROXIMATELY 7 LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $50. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO 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 DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED A LARGE CONTAINER OF BABA GANOUSH IN WORKING COOLER LOCATED NEXT TO WINDOW FACING MILWAUKEE AVENUE ON MAIN PREP LINE WITH NO DATE MARKING. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 1 LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT $10. INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL TCS ITEMS WITH THE 7 DAY DISCARD DATE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED A REACH IN COOLER ON THE MAIN PREP LINE OPPOSITE THE FRYERS CONTAINING TCS FOODS SUCH AS HUMMUS, GARLIC SAUCE, TAHINI SAUCE, AND SPANOKOPITA MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 51.8F. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR COOLER SO THAT IT MAINTAINS AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A TORN GASKET ON THE CENTER DOOR OF THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER LOCATED ON MAIN LINE OPPOSITE THE FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON THE CAULK AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, RE-CAULK, 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 A BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON THE CAULK AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN BASEMENT DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, RE-CAULK, 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.