RIVER NORTH BISTRO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES, WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED, COOKED AND SERVED(HAM AND POTATOES). CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 9:55AM. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED, COOKED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES, WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED, COOKED AND SERVED(HAM AND POTATOES). CORRECTED ON SITE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED ON SITE AT 9:55AM. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED, COOKED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE ON 26TH FLOOR SANITIZING IMPROPERLY, 10PPM CHLORINE IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN, SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT AND DISHES IN LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINES WITH 50-100PPM CHLORINE SANITIZER. CORRECTED ON SITE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHROOM ON 26TH FLOOR REPAIRED AND SANITIZING AT 50PPM BEFORE COMPLETION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVE OATMEAL IN CONTAINER NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS SHALL BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON RIGHT SIDES OF HANDWASHING SINKS FOR DISHWASHING AREA AND PREP AREA ON FIRST FLOOR KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SPLASH GUARDS TO PREVENT 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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS (QUATERNARY AMMONIUM) ON THE PREMISES TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN DISHWASHING AREA OF KITCHEN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS. CORRECTED ON SITE QUATERNARY AMMONIUM TEST STRIPS DELIVERED BEFORE INSPECTION COMPLETION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILDUP ALONG BASES OF WALL AND FLOOR UNDERNEATH DISHAMCHINE ON FIRST FLOOR AND UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR OF FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO 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 MISSING VENT COVER ABOVE DISH MACHINE ON FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL VENT COVER ABOVE DISH MACHINE ON FIRST FLOOR.

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 MISSING VENT COVER ABOVE DISH MACHINE ON FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL VENT COVER ABOVE DISH MACHINE ON FIRST FLOOR.

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.