LOU MITCHELL'S Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: Found approximately 13lbs of raw eggs at improper temperatures in the prep cooler in the kitchen. Eggs found at temperatures ranging 47.9F - 57.3F. Instructed all potentially hazardous foods must be held at 40F or less or 140F or above, at all times. Operator voluntarily discarded denatured foods during inspection, valued at $6. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).

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 poor hygienic practices in the dining room/service station. Observed several food handlers using bare hands to retrieve toast from toaster, and then place butter on toast. Instructed no bare hand contact with ready to eat foods (toast). Instructed all food handlers must either use utensils to handle ready to eat foods, or wash hands and wear gloves (and wash hands in between glove changes). Manager discussed corrective action with staff during inspection. Critical violation 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.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: Found baked goods(cookies, muffins, brownies, etc.) without proper label at front counter. Must properly label all prepackaged, potentially hazardous foods with the following information: business name, address, list of ingredients, and date. Must maintain same.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Observed cardboard being used as a floor mat in downstairs prep area. Must remove. All surfaces must 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: Found small amount of black slimy mold like substance on ice chute in lower compartment of ice machine in basement. Must remove, clean and sanitize machine. Must maintain same.

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 AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF GREASE ON THE WHEELS OF THE FRYER AND STOVE. ALSO NOTED EXCESS GREASE BUILD UP IN THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE TABLE-TOP FRY FRYER. NOTED FOOD RESIDUE ACCUMULATING ON THE SHELVING IN THE 1ST FLOOR WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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/MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE CENTER AREA OF THE COOK LINE. ALSO NOTED SUNKEN FLOOR TILES AND MAJOR CRACKS IN THE GROUTING IN FRONT OF THE BASEMENT FRYER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE FLOORS. OBSERVED ACCUMULATION OF OIL UNDER THE STOVE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: Found excessive grease build up on walls next to cooking equipment, on the west side of kitchen. Must pull equipment away from wall, detail clean and sanitize area. Must maintain same.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED DUST ACCUMULATION ON THE CEILING VENTS AND SURROUNDING TILES ABOVE THE 1ST FLOOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND STAIRWAY AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED LIGHT FIXTURES ABOVE THE CANNED GOOD STORAGE AREA NOT SHIELDED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTER-PROOF BULBS.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED THAT THE SPRAYER HEAD ON THE MOP SINK HOSE IS LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE LEAK.

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: Found faucet on 3 compartment sink (in basement prep area) in disrepair. Faucet is not aligned straight. Faucet and handles are slanted, disrupting flow from faucet. Must repair and maintain. Observed plastic cover on waste pipe cracked/damaged in basement area. Must repair or replace. Must maintain same. Found 2 restroom on lower level without proper ventilation. Must provide ventilation for each restroom.

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: Found faucet on 3 compartment sink (in basement prep area) in disrepair. Faucet is not aligned straight. Faucet and handles are slanted, disrupting flow from faucet. Must repair and maintain. Observed plastic cover on waste pipe cracked/damaged in basement area. Must repair or replace. Must maintain same. Found 2 restroom on lower level without proper ventilation. Must provide ventilation for each restroom.

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.