PIE CAFE, LLC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: Observed the walk in cooler at a temperature of 48.0f. Tagged cooler held for inspection by CDPH. Instructed not to use or remove tag. Instructed to repair and maintain cooler at or below 40f. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: Found foods at improper temperatures in the walk in cooler: 1/2lb of beef at 46.2f, 2 gallons of orange juice at 46.4f, 100lbs of cheese at 46.2f-49.1f, 1/2lb of duck at 46.2f, 4lbs of macaroni and cheese at 46.3f, 12 quarts of half and half at 48.0f, 8 dozen eggs at 47.2f, 10lbs of cooked rice at 47.4f, 10lbs of cooked pasta at 47.7f, 301 lbs of pork at 46.5f-48.7f, and 10lbs of potatoes at 48.4f. Operator discarded and denatured said items. Instructed facility to maintain all potentially hazardous foods at 40f or below or 140f or above. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: Observed 25 mice droppings inside the closet where the furnace and water heater are located. Also observed the rear door to have a 1/4 inch gap along the bottom edge. Instructed facility to remove any pests, repair door so it is tight fitting, and recommended to have a licensed pest control provider service facility. Serious violation 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: Observed the outside dumpster closest to the facility unable to fully close lids due to trash overflowing. Instructed facility to correct and maintain so lids are tight fitting and closed and trash is contained. Serious violation 7-38-020.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: Previous minor violations not corrected from report # 1950351, dated 8-15-16: Violation 30- "Observed prepackaged items at the front counter unlabeled. Instructed facility to label all items with name, ingredients, date, and location of production information and to maintain." Violation 32- "Instructed facility to install and maintain a splashguard near the rear exposed handsink by the drying rack and to maintain." Violation 35- "Observed exposed ventilation insulation above the walk in cooler. Instructed facility to repair or remove and maintain." Violation 36- "Instructed facility to install light shields on the lights near the walk in cooler and three compartment sink end to end and to maintain." Violation 37- "Instructed facility to install and maintain a self closing device on the washroom door." Violation 38- "Observed the espresso machine draining into a bucket. Instructed facility to connect to a drain pipe and maintain." Instructed facility to correct all and maintain. Serious violation 7-42-090.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Observed heavy ice accumulation in the stand up freezer near the entry way to the front service area. Instructed facility to defrost and maintain free of heavy ice accumulation.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: Observed the cabinet under the espresso machine to be dirty. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed the top of the salamander to be dirty with food debris and grease. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: Observed dirt accumulation on the floor of the walk in cooler and the floor in the furnace closet. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed damaged floor tiles by the 3 door prep cooler near the Panini station. Instructed facility to repair and maintain.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: Observed the exhaust hood (not the filters) to have grease accumulation. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed the wall behind the three compartment sink to be dirty. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed the ceiling, fans, and fixtures on or near the ceiling in the dining area to have dust accumulation. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Observed the front pie display cooler draining into a bucket. Instructed facility to properly connect drain line to a floor drain 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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Observed the front pie display cooler draining into a bucket. Instructed facility to properly connect drain line to a floor drain 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.