POTSTICKER HOUSE INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED PREP COOLER LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA BY EQUIPMENT AT AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 55F. PREP COOLER HAD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS INSIDE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AT 40F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. 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: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES; 1LB OF BEEF AT 69F, 1/2LB OF CHICKEN AT 65F, 3LBS OF PORK AT 57F, 1LBS OF MUSHROOMS 57.5 AND 3LBS OF MIXED VEGGIES AT 58F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID ITEMS AND TO KEEP ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW FOR COLD AND 140F OR ABOVE FOR HOT AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND SINK BLOCKED BY A GARBAGE CAN IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA LOCATED BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL EXPOSED HAND SINK ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED 20 RAT DROPPINGS LOCATED ON THE STAIRS GOING UP TO THE DRY STORAGE AREA. OBSERVED 5 RAT DROPPINGS ON A PREP TABLE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED 5 DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR LOCATED BEHIND THE FREEZER. OBSERVED 30 LIVE ANTS CRAWLING ON AND AROUND PREP COOLER AND PREP TABLE LOCATED IN THE REAR. OBSERVED LARGE FLIES AND SMALL FLIES FLYING AROUND THE DRY STORAGE HALLWAY AND FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREA AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. 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.

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO PROPERLY TEST THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF THE DISH MACHINE AND OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1631511 DATED 2/8/2016; 31 OBSERVED KNIVES BEING STORED BEHIND PIPES ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A KNIFE RACK AND PROPERLY STORE KNIVES AND MAINTAIN, -32 OBSERVED TORN AND BROKEN GASKETS ON THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED ICE MACHINE DOOR IS BROKEN. OBSERVED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A DOOR FOR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. -33 OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ATTACHED TO THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED THE SHELVES LOCATED IN THE WALK IN COOLER, 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND IN THE PREP COOLERS ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS AND RUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. -34 OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER ALL HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE DIRT AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. -35 OBSERVED WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATED GREASE AND DIRT DEBRIS. OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ALL PREVIOUS MINORS. 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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS MINOR NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1631511 DATED 2/8/2016; 31 OBSERVED KNIVES BEING STORED BEHIND PIPES ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A KNIFE RACK AND PROPERLY STORE KNIVES AND MAINTAIN, -32 OBSERVED TORN AND BROKEN GASKETS ON THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED ICE MACHINE DOOR IS BROKEN. OBSERVED A PIECE OF CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A DOOR FOR THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. -33 OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ATTACHED TO THE PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED THE SHELVES LOCATED IN THE WALK IN COOLER, 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR AND IN THE PREP COOLERS ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS AND RUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. -34 OBSERVED FLOORS UNDER ALL HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE DIRT AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL. -35 OBSERVED WALLS BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATED GREASE AND DIRT DEBRIS. OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS ARE IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT ALL PREVIOUS MINORS. 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.