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FAIL Risk 1 (High)

MOLE VILLAGE RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MOLE VILLAGE RESTAURANT 2302 S BLUE ISLAND AVE, CHICAGO 60608 Restaurant
July 24, 2025 Canvass License #2646241
11
Total Violations
5
Critical
3
Major
3
Minor
1
Corrected On Site

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

11
Violation #8
CRITICAL
HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER HAND CLEANING PROCEDURE. OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLER RINSE HAND WITHOUT USING SOAP AND DRIED HANDS ON A WIPING CLOTH. OBSERVED ANOTHER FOOD HANDLER RINSE HANDS WITH GLOVES ON AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION RINSED HANDS WITHOUT SOAP AND USED A WIPING CLOTH FOR A HAND DRYING PROVISION. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY WASH BARE HANDS WITH SOAP AND USE AN ADEQUATE HAND DRYING PROVISION. PRIORITY 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED.
Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.
Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.
Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT HANDWASHING SINK IN FOOD PREP AREA. HANDWASHING SINK FOUND NOT BEING USED; FOOD HANDLERS WERE OBSERVED USING THE SERVICE SINK, UNTIL REPAIRED, PER MANAGER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR HANDWASHING SINK, SO THAT IT HAS HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAINED. PRIORITY 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.
Violation #22
CRITICAL
PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS ON SITE. FOUND IN A REFRIGERATOR RAW, WHOLE CHICKENS AT 51.8�F. TWO CONTAINERS OF RICE (53.4�F), RAW SHRIMP (53.0�F), PORK STEW (53.7�F), TWO CARTONS OF HALF AND HALF (59.8�F), SOUR CREAM (52.5�F), DICED TOMATOES (50.4�F), ALL FOUND IN THE LARGE PREP COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING FOODS MUST BE 41�F OR BELOW. APPROXIMATELY 85LBS OF PRODUCT WERE DISCARDED AT $197 WORTH OF PRODUCT. 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.
Violation #33
MAJOR
PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF PREP COOLER AT 55.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG WAS PLACED ON THE UNIT. PLEASE REVIEW COMMENTS FOR TAG REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0�F OR BELOW. PRIORITY 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.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE COLD HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES FROM FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS IMPROPERLY STORED THROUGHOUT FACILITY FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #43
MINOR
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED TONGS STORED ON THE HANDLE OF THE OVEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE TO AVOID POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
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.
Violation #48
CRITICAL
WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED BOWLS BEING USED AS SINK STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THREE ADEQUATE SINK STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE SHELVES UNDER THE PREP TABLE NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH SLIGHT BUILD UP OF FOOD. ALSO, THE LOWER COMPARTMENTS UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL WITH BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO 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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING IN THE BASEMENT, IN THE ENTIRE REAR PREP AREA (ESPECIALLY BEHIND COLD HOLDING UNITS AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. ALSO THE WALLS NEAR THE PREP COOLERS AND HANDWASHING SINK IN NEED OF CLEANING IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND 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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN NEED OF CLEANING IN THE BASEMENT, IN THE ENTIRE REAR PREP AREA (ESPECIALLY BEHIND COLD HOLDING UNITS AND UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT. ALSO THE WALLS NEAR THE PREP COOLERS AND HANDWASHING SINK IN NEED OF CLEANING IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND 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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections