LOU MITCHELL'S Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES FROM THE COOK LINE FOOD HANDLERS AT THE OMELET STATION AND THE POACHED EGG STATION. AT THE OMELET STATION, THE FOOD HANDLER WAS OBSERVED WEARING GLOVES WHILE CRACKING RAW EGGS INTO CUPS, THEN GRABBING OMELET TOPPINGS WITH HIS HANDS FROM THE PREP TOP COOLER WITHOUT CHANGING HIS GLOVES OR WASHING HIS HANDS. AT THE POACHED EGG STATION, OBSERVED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF A FOOD HANDLER CRACKING RAW EGGS WHILE WEARING GLOVES, THEN WIPING HIS HANDS ON CLOTHS HANGING FROM HIS APRON BELT. ALSO OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER CRACKING RAW EGGS, THEN HANDLE CLEAN PLATES AND SERVING BOWLS WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS OR CHANGING HIS GLOVES. THE FOOD HANDLERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE POINT OF CONTAMINATION, INCLUDING PRIOR TO PLACING NEW GLOVES ON. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-010(A)

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED APPROX. 20 SMALL FLIES IN THE FRONT WAITRESS LINE AREA. OBSERVED APPROX. 30 LIVE ANTS NEAR THE UPSTAIRS WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY AND RECOMMENDED TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF A LICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATOR. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 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.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: KNIVES ARE BEING STORED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE KNIVES ON A CLEAN AND SANITIZED SURFACE AND IN A MANNER THAT PREVENTS CONTAMINATION.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DEEP DARK GROOVES IN CUTTING BOARD AT THE HASHBROWN/SAUSAGE GRILL STATION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF OIL AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE EXTERIORS OF THE BASEMENT FRYERS.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED CRACKED FLOOR TILES AND COVING IN THE CORNER OF THE FLOOR NEAR THE UPSTAIRS WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL CRACKS AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED THE WALL COVERING AND CAULKING BEHIND THE UPSTAIRS MOP SINK DETACHING AND SPLITTING FROM THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE WALL AND REPLACE THE CAULKING SO THE AREA IS SMOOTH, DURABLE AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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 WHITE FREEZERS AND DISPOSABLE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS STORED UNDER EXPOSED WASTE PIPING IN THE BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE A GUTTER SYSTEM FOR THE WASTE PIPES IN THESE AREAS, OR RELOCATE FOOD/FOOD CONTAINERS SO THEY ARE NOT DIRECTLY UNDER THE EXPOSED WASTE LINES.

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 WHITE FREEZERS AND DISPOSABLE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS STORED UNDER EXPOSED WASTE PIPING IN THE BASEMENT. MUST PROVIDE A GUTTER SYSTEM FOR THE WASTE PIPES IN THESE AREAS, OR RELOCATE FOOD/FOOD CONTAINERS SO THEY ARE NOT DIRECTLY UNDER THE EXPOSED WASTE LINES.

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.