ROBUST COFFEE LOUNGE LLC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN STAFF WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

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 & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DEEP GROOVED CUTTING BOARD ON SANDWICH PREP COOLER. INTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARD AND MAINTAIN.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLES IN STAFF AND CUSTOMER WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COVERED RECEPTACLES IN WASHROOMS.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT ON WALLS IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR TO MAKE WALLS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2613423 ON 3-10-25:40-OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.55-NO COVERS FOUND ON THE VENTILATION FANS ON THE CEILINGS OF THE CUSTOMER WASHROOMS; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERS FOR THE VENTILATION FANS AND MANTAIN.55-INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREP CORNER AREA TO REMOVE COFFEE BEANS AND CLEAN IN KITCHEN AREA AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTILAION FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.57-OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.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 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2613423 ON 3-10-25:40-OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINTS; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.55-NO COVERS FOUND ON THE VENTILATION FANS ON THE CEILINGS OF THE CUSTOMER WASHROOMS; INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERS FOR THE VENTILATION FANS AND MANTAIN.55-INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREP CORNER AREA TO REMOVE COFFEE BEANS AND CLEAN IN KITCHEN AREA AROUND AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT WHERE NEEDED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE VENTILAION FAN ON THE CEILING OF THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM TO REMOVE DUST OBSERVED.57-OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS; INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS OBTAIN VALID CERTIFICATES.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.