SSYAL GINSENG HOUSE, INC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS BEING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE, CHICKEN 53.2F, BEEF 54.1F, BEEF 48.6F, BEAN SPROUTS 55.6F, NOODLES 64.8F, BEEF 47.9F, EGGS 48.4F, POTATOES AND BEEF 49.1F, CABBAGE AND BEEF 47.5F AND TOFU 46.8F. CORRECTED ON SITE COLD TCS FOOD HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY MANAGER($100/5LBS). INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL COLD TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN KITCHEN PREP AREA IN FRONT OF COOKING EQUIPMENT HOLDING COLD TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 52.9F. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNIT IN KITCHEN PREP AREA IN FRONT OF COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLD UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES FOR TAKING AND MAINTAINING TEMPERATURES OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WORKING METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY SIXTY SMALL LIVE FLIES THROUGHOUT PREMISES, IN FRONT AND REAR DINING AREAS, BOTH WASHROOMS AND REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED PEST CONTROL SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 8/25/2023. 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED RICE COOKER AND EQUIPMENT SUCH AS BOWLS AND SINGLE USE CONTAINERS STORED ON PREP TABLES IN AREA NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY PUBLIC IN HALLWAY LEADING TO PUBLIC WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL PARTITION TO PROTECT FOOD PREP AREA FROM CONTAMINATION BY PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS SHELF LINER IN LARGE STORAGE ROOM. ALUMINUM FOIL AND NEWSPAPER USED AS PREP TABLE LINER IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD FROM SHELVES IN LARGE STORAGE ROOM AND ALUMINUM FOIL AND NEWSPAPER FROM PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN . ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED NON FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN LARGE STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE SANITIZING IMPROPERLY AT 10PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. CORRECTED ON SITE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE DURING INSPECTION. DISH MACHINE SANITIZING AT 100PPM CHLORINE. 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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DUMPSTER STORED ON SURFACE CONSTRUCTED OF ROCKS AND DIRT. INSTRUCTED TO CONSTRUCT OUTDOOR DUMPSTER STORAGE SURFACE OF SMOOTH, DURABLE, AND SLOPED TO DRAIN NONABSORBENT MATERIAL SUCH AS CONCRETE AND ASPHALT.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR DINING AREA AND BOTH WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES 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 STAINED CEILING TILES IN REAR DINING AREA AND BOTH WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES 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.