PANCAKE CAFE/AJI SUSHI Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HANDWASHING SINKS IN FRONT BAR AREA, SUSHI PREP AREA, REAR DISHWASHING AREA AND INSIDE ALL WASHROOMS.INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR ALL HAND WASHING SINKS.

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-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE BLACK AND PINK SLIMY SUBSTANCE BUILD UP ON INSIDE INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE AND DRIPPING ONTO ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST REMOVE ICE CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE. MACHINE HAS BEEN CLEANED AND SANITIZED AT THE END OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PREPARING AND SERVING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES FOOD IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPELY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED PLATES STORED ON SHELVING IN KITCHEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RUSTY SHELVING INSIDE 2-DOOR TALL REFRIGERATOR IN FRONT COFFEE STATION AREA AND BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE SHELVING.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED FOUND TO HAVE GREASE ENCRUSTED ON TOP LIP LID, SIDES AND WALL BEHIND GREASE CONTAINER. THIS IS A FOOD SOURCE FOR RODENTS AND OTHER PESTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B) CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN ALL WASHROOMS. MUST 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILE ABOVE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER IN SUSHI PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED BIG OPENING INTO WALL NEXT TO COFFEE STATION AREA ALSO OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO CEILING IN FRONT AND REAR OF BASEMENT. MUST SEAL ALL OPENING 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A FEW BURNS OUT BULBS ABOVE FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN THE BASEMENT. MUST REPLACE BURN OUT BULBS AND MAINTAIN 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: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ON SITE WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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.