INTERNATIONAL GRILL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 2 DOOR COOLER BEHIND THE JUICE/COFFEE BAR NOT TURNED ON BUT USED TO STORE MILK AND HALF AND HALF CREAMER. ALSO, OBSERVED THE 1 DOOR COOLER NEXT TO THE COOK'S LINE WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE HAM AND CHEESES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL COOLERS BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE BAR AND PREP COOLERS. OBSERVED MILK AT 47.5F, HALF AND HALF CREAMER AT 44.4F, CUT MELON AT 51.8F, PANCAKE BATTER AT 55.1F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 30# OF FOOD WORTH $300. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED UNHYGIENIC FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS FAIL TO WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER CRACKING EGGS AND HANDLING READY-TO-EAT FOODS AND USE DIRTY COMMON TOWELS WITHOUT WASHING THEIR HANDS AFTER USING THEM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED ON PROPER HANDWASHING FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.

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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: OBSERVED THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE IN DISREPAIR. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MANAGEMENT WAS NOT USING THE MACHINE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND ENSURE THAT THE MACHINE IS SANITIZING DISHES AT 100PPM CHLORINE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES AND IMPROPER PEST CONTROL. OBSERVED OVER 200 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR, STORAGE SHELVES, TABLES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE BASEMENT. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM THE BASEMENT. ALSO, MUST REMOVE ALL OPEN RODENT BAIT/POISON FROM THE BASEMENT FLOOR AND STORE IT IN PROPER BAIT CONTAINERS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 1 DOOR PREP COOLER.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE COKE PREP COOLER AND STAINLESS STEEL SHELVES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN THE VENTILATION HOOD.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE DRAIN LINE HOSE FOR THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE SITTING IN THE MOP SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO KEEP THE HOSE ABOVE THE FLOOD RIM OF THE SINK.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THE DRAIN LINE HOSE FOR THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE SITTING IN THE MOP SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO KEEP THE HOSE ABOVE THE FLOOD RIM OF THE SINK.

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.