SAINT'S ALP TEAHOUSE & GOURMET Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. 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.

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE RINSE HANDS IN THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP/ DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MANAGER TO ENSURE FOOD HANDLERS ARE PROPERLY WASHING THEIR HANDS IN THE DESIGNATED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE MENTIONED AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010, CITATION ISSUED

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE POSTED AT THE WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP/DISHWASHING AREA AND MAINTAIN.

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-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED LOW-TEMPERATURE DISHWASHING MACHINE IN USE, NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING. SANITIZING STRENGTH OF SANITIZER (CHLORINE) AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION WAS 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY SANITIZING. 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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING FOR MEAT STORED IN A BASIN OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN STANDING WATER. THAWING MUST OCCUR WITH FOOD PLACED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER OVERNIGHT, OR UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CORRECT THAWING PROCEDURES.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOOR BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA AND IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD ROACHES, CLEAN 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 60 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. THE FOLLOWING AREAS THE MICE DROPPINGS ARE THE FOLLOWING: ON THE FLOORS UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR AND FRONT FOOD PREP/BEVERAGE AREA, UNDER THE SHELVING UNITS NEAR THE WALK-IN COOLER, UNDER THE FOOD CARTS AT THE FRONT BEVERAGE PREP AREA, ON THE OUTLET BOX NEAR THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT BEVERAGE PREP AREA, UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FRONT BEVERAGE PREP AREA, AND UNDERNEATH WHERE THE HIGH CHAIRS FOR CHILDREN ARE STORED ON THE STAIRCASE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE MICE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD WITH GREASE BUILD UP ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACES. THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE DEEP-FRYING UNITS WITH GREASE BUILD UP. THE SHELVING UNITS UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES WITH DEBRIS, ALSO THE ELECTRICAL BOX UNDER THE WOK STATION WAS OBSERVED WITH GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL MENTIONED SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD WITH GREASE BUILD UP ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACES. THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF THE DEEP-FRYING UNITS WITH GREASE BUILD UP. THE SHELVING UNITS UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABLES WITH DEBRIS, ALSO THE ELECTRICAL BOX UNDER THE WOK STATION WAS OBSERVED WITH GREASE BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL MENTIONED SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.