STAR GYROS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: REFRIGERATED PREP COOLER (48.8F) AND 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER(52.1F) BOTH FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA AT TIME OF THIS INVESTIGATION. ALL PRODUCTS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES WERE DISCARDED AND UNITS WERE ALSO TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: CUT TOMATOES-49.3F, CUT LEAFY GREENS-47.9F, GROUND BEEF-52.1F, PIZZA PUFFS-51.4F, STEAK BURGERS-52.6F. ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED IN REFRIGERATION MUST BE HELD AT 40 DEGREES OR BELOW. ALL PRODUCTS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES(25LB VALUED AT $90) WAS DISCARDED. 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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING AND RINSING MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MGR. THAT THE SINK MUST BE SET UP PROPERLY TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE WHEN CLEANING MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: IMPROPER PEST CONTROL NOTED ON PREMISES. APPROXIMATELY 30 RAT DROPPINGS FOUND ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT SCATTERED ON FLOOR. ALSO FOUND OUTER DOOR OPEN WITH THE STORM DOOR NOT PROPERLY INSECT OR RODENT-PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS(ALSO NOTED A FOUL ODOR), RODENT AND INSECT-PROOF STORM DOOR OR KEEP THE OUTER DOOR CLOSED WHICH MUST BE INSECT AND RODENT-PROOFED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: GREASE RECEPTACLE IN REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. GREASE FOUND ALL OVER THE LID OF THE RECEPTACLE, MUST KEEP THE EXTERIOR CLEAN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK - Comments: NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON PREMISES AT TIME OF THIS INSPECTION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPLACE WORN GASKET ON LOWER DOOR TO 2-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER(LARGE GAP,DOOR NOT CLOSING TIGHT ALLOWING WARM AIR INSIDE OF UNIT).

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN THE CABINET INTERIORS OF THE DEEP FRYERS IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: REPLACE ALL MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT. CLEAN ALL DEBRIS FROM FLOOR THROUGHOUT BASEMENT, AND KEEP FLOOR DRY. DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT ALL AREAS AND ROOMS ON FIRST FLOOR ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: CLEAN GREASE BUILD-UP FROM HOOD ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPAIR LEAKY FAUCETS AT 3 AND 1 COMPARTMENT SINKS IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA. WASTE LINE PIPE FOR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN BASEMENT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO EXTEND OVER FLOOR DRAIN, LEAVING A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR- MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE PIPE.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPAIR LEAKY FAUCETS AT 3 AND 1 COMPARTMENT SINKS IN REAR DISH WASHING AREA. WASTE LINE PIPE FOR AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN BASEMENT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO EXTEND OVER FLOOR DRAIN, LEAVING A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR- MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE PIPE.

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.