MACARONI GRILL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE TOUCHING READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS DURING PREPARATION. OBSERVED THE FOOD EMPLOYEE HANDLING COOKED SLICED SAUSAGES AT PREP LINE COOLER WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT READY-TO-EAT FOODS CANNOT BE HANDLED WITH BARE-HANDS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED A SLIGHT DEBRIS ACCUMULATION ENCRUSTED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST REMOVE DEBRIS, DETAIL CLEAN INSIDE ICE MACHINE/HAVE SERVICED AND MAINTAIN ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES: LEAFY CUT ROMAINE LETTUCE AT 61.2F-62.4F INSIDE THE 5 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER AT FRONT PREP AREA AND COOKED SLICED SAUSAGES AT 48.2 F INSIDE THE PIZZA PREP LINE COOLER AT REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, (TCS FOODS) MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER AND HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 135 F OR HOTTER AT ALL TIMES. 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: FOUND THE FRONT 5 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE IN USE WITH TCS FOODS (WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 62.2 F). INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41.0F OR COLDER AT ALL TIMES. MENTIONED COOLER IS TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL REPAIRED. SEE COMMENTS BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILING IN THE REAR DISHWASHING MACHINE AREA AND AT BAR AREA. 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKETS INSIDE OF THE 6 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKETS.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE FRONT PREP CHEESECAKE DESSERT COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIORS OF BREAD WARMER UNIT LOCATED AT FRONT PREP AREA TO REMOVE DRIED-UP FOOD DEBRIS AND BAR GUNS AND HOUSINGS AT BAR AREA WITH SYRUP SPILLAGE.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREAS ESPECIALLY UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.CLEAN THE WALLS AND CEILING OF THE FRONT PREP AREA.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREAS ESPECIALLY UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AREA.CLEAN THE WALLS AND CEILING OF THE FRONT PREP AREA.

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.