⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
FAIL Risk 1 (High)

SAIMAI THAI Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SAIMAI THAI 338 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO 60614 Restaurant
August 4, 2017 Canvass License #2298459
11
Total Violations
4
Critical
4
Major
3
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

11
Violation #3
CRITICAL
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES STORED IN A DEEP FREEZER AND 1-DOOR UPRIGHT COOLER, IN REAR PREP. 5 LBS OF RAW CHICKEN, 57F, VALUED AT $20. 54 EGGS, 48F, VALUED AT $10. .5 LBS OF SLICED TOMATOES, 48F, VALUED AT $3. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS COLD FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW. 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.
Violation #6
CRITICAL
HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED THREE EMPLOYEES HANDLING READY TO EAT SHRIMP WITH THEIR BARE HANDS IN THE PREP AREA. WHEN INSTRUCTED TO STOP, EMPLOYEE WASHED HANDS IN THE 3-COMP SINK INSTEAD OF THE DESIGNATED HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PERFORM GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES AT ALL TIMES IN THE PREP AREA, AND NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS, USE GLOVES OR TONGS INSTEAD. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-10 (A).
Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.
Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.
Violation #16
CRITICAL
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: OBSERVED HUMAN HAIR AND A PINK SLIME LIKE SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER. SLIME LIKELY TO CONTAMINATE ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE MACHINE SERVICED. DISCONTINUE USE OF MACHINE UNTIL CLEANED AND SANITIZED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
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.
Violation #32
MAJOR
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REPAIR CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR PREP ABOVE 3-COMP SINK. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #34
MINOR
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND DEBRIS ACCUMULATION FROM FLOORS UNDER AND BEHIND HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN ALL PREP AREAS, INSTRUCTED TO 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.
Violation #35
MINOR
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE ACCUMULATION FROM HOOD AND FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO 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.
Violation #36
MINOR
LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: MUST INSTALL SHATTERPROOF LIGHTS THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.
Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.
50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.
Violation #38
CRITICAL
VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAIN AT HAND SINK IN WOMENS TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO 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.
Violation #39
MAJOR
LINEN: CLEAN AND SOILED PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MUST STORE SOILED LINENS IN SANITIZER WATER WHILE NOT IN USE TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #41
MAJOR
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER FROM FLOOR AROUND SMALL OFFICE AREA IN REAR. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #41
MAJOR
PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE CLUTTER FROM FLOOR AROUND SMALL OFFICE AREA IN REAR. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" OFF FLOOR TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections