MELI CAFE ON GRAND Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO ORIGINAL AND VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS RAW EGGS WERE PREPARED AND MADE ON SITE. NO VALID DOCCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHEN FOOD IS HANDLED. -AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM THE CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND SINK BLOCKED BY LARGE GARBAGE CAN NEAR ICE MACHINE-----AND-----OBSERVED JUICE CONTAINERS INSIDE HAND SINK IN BAR AREA. ITEMS WERE RELCOATED ON SITE. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGERS THAT ALL HAND SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C) CITATION ISSUED.

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 SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS COOKED POTAOTES ARE STORED BELOW RAW EGGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED RAW EGGS STORED ABOVE RAW BEEF IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. RAW EGGS MUST BE STORED ON THE BOTTOM SHELF AND AWAY FROM READY TO EAT FOODS TO PROTECT FROM CROSS CONTAMINATION. AT TIME OF INSPECTION, RAWW EGGS WERE RELOACTED TO THE BOTTOM SHELF. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: THERMOMETERS IS NOT PROVIDED IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS. COLD/HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT USED FOR TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY SHALL HAVE AT LEAST ONE THERMOMETER IN AN EASILY VIEWED LOCATION. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED ON SITE.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 6 DEAD ROACHES ON FLOOR BETWEEN THE ICE MACHINE AND HAND SINK ACROSS. FACILITY MUST REMOVE DEAD ROACHES FROM THE FLOOR. CLEAN, MAINTAIN, AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH A LICENSE PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO MINIMIZE ACTIVITY.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON ALL PREP SURFACES CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED STAND UP COOLER AND STAND UP FREEZER SOILED WITH DEBRIS INSIDE OF BOTTOM UNITS. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND 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: OBSERVED STAND UP COOLER AND STAND UP FREEZER SOILED WITH DEBRIS INSIDE OF BOTTOM UNITS. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND 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.