PEPES RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST ELEVATE FOOD FROM FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLER AND NEAR WALK IN FREEZER TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: MUST REPLACE SOILED WIPING CLOTHS AND STORE IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE FROM SURFACES.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKET ALONG BOTTOM OF WALK IN FREEZER.

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: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LEAKY FAUCET AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.

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: MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM FLOOR IN WALK IN FREEZER.

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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD MANAGERS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2588179 1/17/24 NOT CORRECTED-#37-3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES/SHAKERS).#47- 4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR PREP COOLER.#49- 4-601.11(C) : MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM WALK IN FREEZER COMPRESSOR UNIT.#55- 6-501.114 : MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES FROM 2ND FL.FLOOR AND STORE PROPERLY.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2588179 1/17/24 NOT CORRECTED-#37-3-302.12 : MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE(SQUEEZE BOTTLES/SHAKERS).#47- 4-501.11 : MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON 2- DOOR PREP COOLER.#49- 4-601.11(C) : MUST REMOVE ICE BUILD UP FROM WALK IN FREEZER COMPRESSOR UNIT.#55- 6-501.114 : MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES FROM 2ND FL.FLOOR AND STORE PROPERLY.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090)(CITATION ISSUED)

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.