ML KITCHEN INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN A PAN IN KITCHEN AND IN THE PREP COOLER. FOUND SHRIMP @ 48.5F; CHICKEN @ 44.4F-45.1F; AND FISH @ 46.4F. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD @ 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES (IN REFRIGERTION) PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED DEANTURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. 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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING METHOD IN USE. OBSERVED UNCOOKED SHRIMP SITTING IN STANDING WATER IN A PAN IN PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED MUST USE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING APPROVED METHOD FOR THAWING: IN REFRIGERATION, IN A MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS, OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER WITH SUFFICIENT WATER VELOCITY TO AGITATE AND FLOAT OFF LOOSE PARTICLES IN AN OVERLFOW. PIC VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED DENATURED SHRIMP DURING INSPECTION.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED LARGE PLASTIC CONTAINERS CONTAINING RICE, FLOUR, ETC. WITHOUT LABEL. MUST LABEL ALL BULK STORAGE ITEMS WITH COMMON NAME.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST KIT TO ACCURATELY MEASURE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZERS USED AT 3 COMP SINK AND IN DISH MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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: OBSERVED WALLS, CEILINGS, FLOORS, VENT COVERS, AND SHELVING IN BOTH WALK IN COOLER HEAVILY SOILED. MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL SURFACES INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS. MUST SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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 GRILL PLATE ON TOP OF GAS BURNER HEAVILY SOILED WITH GREASE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED SLOW DRAINING HAND SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED A FLOOR MATS IN KITCHEN. MUST REMOVE. ALL SURFACES MUST BE NON-POROUS, SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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 REMOVE ALL ITEMS STORED ON FLOORS OF WALK IN COOLERS, AND IN REAR OF STORAGE AREA NEAR WATER HEATER. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR TO ALLOW FOR PROPER CLEANINGG. OBSERVED WALL DAMAGED (METAL PIECES MISSING, WALL OPEN, INSULATION SHOWING,ETC.) UNDER HAND SINK IN FRONT OF KITCHEN. MUST REPAIR TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST SEAL WALL TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. OBSERVED BLACK SPOTS AND STAINS ON CEILING TILE JUST OUTSIDE OF RESTROOM. MUST REPLACE.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED LIGHT NOT WORKING ABOVE REAR OF COOKING LINE. MUST REPAIR TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: SEE VIOLATION # 60

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: SEE VIOLATION # 60

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.