JJ FISH Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WAS PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (FISH AND CHICKEN) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND PREP COOLERS. OBSERVED FISH AT 46F, SHRIMP AT 68F, COOKED RICE AT 55F, AND BBQ SAUCES AND COCKTAIL SAUCES AT 75F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROX. 20 LIVE SMALL FLYING INSECTS ON THE WALLS, EQUIPMENT AND BOXES OF STOCK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, DISH WASHING AREA AND STORAGE AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. 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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITH NO HAIR AND BEARD RESTRAINTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE STORAGE SHELVES, PREP TABLES, DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS, SINKS, AND EXTERIOR OF THE GREASE TRAP.

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: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE GRILL AND THE DISH WASHING AREA. CLEAN THE FLOOR OF THE DISH WASHING AREA AROUND THE GREASE TRAP AND UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2574396 ON 4/17/23 NOT CORRECTED: 49 - MUST CLEAN HEAVY GREASE LOCATED INSIDE COOKING FRYERS AND UNDER GRILL AREA. 58 - OBSERVED CERTIFIED MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2574396 ON 4/17/23 NOT CORRECTED: 49 - MUST CLEAN HEAVY GREASE LOCATED INSIDE COOKING FRYERS AND UNDER GRILL AREA. 58 - OBSERVED CERTIFIED MANAGER WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ABOVE THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.