STAX CAFE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: NO PERSON IN CHARGE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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: NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (EGGS, SANDWICHES). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS IN DISH WASHING ROOM. HOT AND COLD WATER WAS TURNED OFF AT HAND SINK IN DISH ROOM WHERE EMPLOYEES COULD NOT WASH HANDS. ALSO, FOUND HAND SINK AT BAR NOT ACCESSIBLE. HOT WATER WAS TURNED OFF AT HAND SINK AT BAR MAKING IT INACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO WASH HANDS. EMPLOYEE THEN TURNED ON HOT WATER. HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED BACON AT IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 98.2F. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE MUST BE AT 135.0F OR ABOVE. FOOD HAS BEEN DISCARDED AND DENATURED. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS AT A COST OF $20.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED DICED HAM AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 47.5F. ALSO OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE. PICO DE GALLO FOUND AT 45.8F, POBLANO FOUND AT 45.6F, CHORIZO FOUND AT 46.4F, SLICED CHEESE FOUND AT 47.1F, CHOCOLATE MILK FOUND AT 48.0F, RICOTA FOUND AT 48.3F, EGGS FOUND AT 44.7F, SHREDDED BEEF FOUND AT 49.2F, SAUSAGE FOUND AT 48.5F, BEEF PATTIES FOUND AT 50.1F, STEAK FOUND AT 50.3F AND SPINACH FOUND AT 46.3F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW. FOOD HAS BEEN DISCARDED AND DENATURED. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 200 LBS AT A COST OF $600.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. SEE ABOVE FOR CITATION.

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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER AT 46.4F. PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER AT 46.4F. PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE MUST BE 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. 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.