LOU MITCHELL'S Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM, OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO 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 DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKINGS ON RTE/TCS FOODS PREPARED ONSITE AND HELD IN COOLERS OVER 24 HRS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUME BY DATE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 RODENT DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT VARIOUS AREAS (UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS, AND UNDER THE DISH MACHINE). ALSO, 10 LIVE ROACHES ON FLOORS & WALLS NEAR HOT FOOD LINE, DISH AREA, AND BASEMENT PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS AND ROACHES. CLEAN AND SANITIZED ALL AFFECTED AREAS, AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD (PRUNES) STORED ON FLOOR IN LARGE STOCK POT IN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO STORE FOOD 6" OFF FLOORS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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 IN-USE UTENSILS IMPROPERLY STORED ON A GARBAGE CAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN & SANITIZE, AND STORE PROPERLY.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: Observed cutting boards on prep coolers in prep area, in need of repair. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and SANITIZED, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Instructed to maintain.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO CHLORINE OR QUATERNARY TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO ACCURATELY MEASURE THE CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION OF THE 3-COMP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP TEST STRIPS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DRIED FOOD FROM DOUGHNUT HOLE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DRIED FOOD DEBRIS FROM INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ALL REACH IN PREP COOLERS, AND UPRIGHT REFRIGERATORS IN THE BASEMENT.

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: MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE DIRT ACCUMULATION FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT (UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT) FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. ALSO, FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLERS AND IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE DIRT ACCUMULATION FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT (UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT) FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. ALSO, FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLERS AND IN THE DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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.