STELLA'S DINER Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: WE OBSERVED CHEMICAL PLASTIC BUCKET USED FOR FOOD STORAGE(OPEN FLOUR). CONTAINER STORED ON TOP SHELF OF REAR PREP AREA. EMPLOYEE WAS USING THAT FLOUR. MUST USE ONLY FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS TO STORE ANY FOOD PRODUCTS.PRODUCTS DISCARDED AND DENATURED.POUNDS 25,VALUE 14. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: COOKED RICE AT TEMP OF 50.9F; CHICKEN 55.2F; SAUSAGE AT 70F; COOKED VEGGIE 60F; BLUE CHEESE AT 51F. MENTIONED PRODUCTS WERE STORED INSIDE THE TWO DOOR RECH-IN COOLER.COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 41F AND BELOW. PRODUCTS DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUNDS #100,VALUE $1000. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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: FOUND TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER AT AIR TEMP OF 57F.TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE THE UNIT:RAW CHICKEN,COOKED RICE,SAUSAGE ETC. UNIT TAGGED "HELD FOR INSPECTION" DO NOT USE. UNIT MUST MAINTAIN AIR TEMP OF 41F OR 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED WASTE PIPES ABOVE DISPOSABLE MULTI USE ITEMS.INSTRUCTED TO ENCASE SAID PIPE OR RELOCATED ITEMS.

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: MOUNTED ON WALL POTATOES SLICER WITH EXCESS FOOD DEBRIS,CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AND MAKE VISIBLE FOR ICE MACHINE.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CLUTTER UNDER THE STAIRCASE BY THE HOT WATER TANK IN BASEMENT,CLE.AN AND MAINTAIN. REMOVE PLASTIC CRATES FORM FACILITY INCLUDED INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLERS.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANBLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM:12-29-22,REPORT #2569085 #10)6-301.14: NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. #37) 3-302.12: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAMES, INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS. #55) 6-501.12: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR AND FLOOR DRAIN ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OF THE DISHWASHING AREA. #47)4-201.11: NOTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON-TOXIC FOOD-GRADE PAINT, AND/OR REPLACE AND WHERE EVER NEEDED. #55) 6-201.17: NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS AND WALL BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE AT THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #56)6-501.14: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM:12-29-22,REPORT #2569085 #10)6-301.14: NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. #37) 3-302.12: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAMES, INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS. #55) 6-501.12: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOOR AND FLOOR DRAIN ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AND UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OF THE DISHWASHING AREA. #47)4-201.11: NOTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES AT THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON-TOXIC FOOD-GRADE PAINT, AND/OR REPLACE AND WHERE EVER NEEDED. #55) 6-201.17: NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS AND WALL BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE AT THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. #56)6-501.14: NOTED DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS AND PIPES/CONDUITS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-42-090,CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.