LITTLE WOK Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA SPILL CLEAN UP KIT OR PROCEDURE IN PLACE AT FACILITY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COMPLETE KIT AND PROCEDURE PER FOOD CODE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. UPON RETURNING ON 5/5/2025, MANAGER PROVIDED PROOF OF A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA SPILL CLEAN UP KIT AS WELL AS A PROCEDURE IN PLACE. PRIOIRTY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AVAILABLE AT REAR HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SIGNAGE REMINDING EMPLOYEES THEY MUST WASH HANDS.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE TEMPERATURE OF 131F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MACHINE WAS NOT IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MACHINE WAS RECENTLY INSTALLED REPLACING OLDER, LOW TEMP MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE FINAL SANITIZING RINSE TEMPERATURE. DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN FINAL SANITIZING RINSE TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 165F AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-025. UPON RETURNING ON 5/5/2025, MANAGER HAD MACHINE SERVICED AND INSTALLATION COMPLETE. FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE OF 165.2F ACHIEVED.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD AND BOXES OF DRIED GOODS STORED BENEATH UNPROTECTED/NOT SHIELDED WASTEWATER AND SEWER LINES IN THE CRAWL SPACE BASEMENT STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHIELDING OR MOVE FOOD ITEMS AND BOXES OF FOOD FROM BELOW ANY UNPROTECTED SEWER AND WASTEWATER LINES IN BASEMENT CRAWL SPACE.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD, BAGS OF VEGETABLES, AND VARIOUS BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT CRAWL SPACE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. OBSERVED VARIOUS BOXES OF FOODS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA AS WELL AS IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SCOOPS THROUGHOUT FACILITY IN DRY STORAGE BINS WITH HANDLES IN CONTACT WITH FOOD ITEMS IN BINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ALL SCOOPS AND UTENSILS WITH HANDLES NOT IN CONTACT WITH FOOD ITEMS IN BETWEEN USE.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS STORED BENEATH UNPROTECTED/NOT SHIELDED WASTEWATER AND SEWER LINES IN THE CRAWL SPACE BASEMENT STORAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHIELDING OR MOVE ALL EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE BINS FROM BELOW ANY UNPROTECTED SEWER AND WASTEWATER LINES IN BASEMENT CRAWL SPACE.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED VARIOUS FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT, POTS, PANS, ETC STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT CRAWL SPACE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED ENTIRTIY OF THE BASEMENT CRAWL SPACE TO BE FULL OF SINGLE SERVICE AND BOXED SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SHELVES AT SIDE OF GRILL AREA/NEXT TO DOOR FOR REAR ENTRANCE TO KITCHEN TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SHELVES FREE OF EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA TO HAVE A SEVERELY LEAKING COLD WATER HANDLE THAT IS ALSO RUSTED AWAY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN HAND SINK 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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: OBSERVED MENS TOILET ON LEFT SIDE TO OVERFLOW WHEN FLUSHED, CAUSING A BACK UP OF WASTE WATER ONTO THE FLOOR IN THE MENS BATHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND TO ENSURE WASTE WATER IS NOT BACKING UP THROUGH ANY DRAINS OR TOILET. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-030(c). TOILET ROOM WAS NOT IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION, AND A SIGN WAS PLACED ON DOOR PRIOR TO INSPECTION. UPON RETURNING ON 5/5/2025, MANAGER HAD TOILET SERVICED AND ALL WASTE EFFECTIVELY DISPOSED WITH NO BACK UP. PRIORITY VIOLATION CORRECTED, TWO BATHROOMS PROVIDED.

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR MAJORITY OF FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES FOUND AT FACILITY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL 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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGERS TO COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO MANAGERS.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGERS TO COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO MANAGERS.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.