MELI CAFE ON GRAND Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 50.2-52.2F(HALF AND HALF 50.2F, MILK 51.6F AND YOGURT 52.2F). INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $100 WEIGHING 20LBS. 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERICKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERICKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN BARISTA AREA USED TO HOLD COLD TCS FOODS AT AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 52.0F. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON SAID COLD HOLDING UNIT. 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON FLOOR AND ALONG BASE OF WALL UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND ON GREASE TRAP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES TO PREVENT ACCUMULATION, DECOMPOSITION, OR THE ATTRACTION OF PESTS.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED PRESET KNIFE, FORK AND SPOON ON TABLES IN DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL PRESET TABLEWARE SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY BEING WRAPPED, COVERED OR INVERTED.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED IN WALKIN COOLER AND BASE OF CABINET IN STAGING AREA OF DINING ROOM AND ALUMINIUM FOIL USED ON LEDGE OF OVEN AS SHELF LINER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND ALUMINUM AS SHELF LINER, NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE SMOOTH FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY

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: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO 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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO 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.