SUSHI TOKORO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA TO NOT HAVE A HAND WASHING SIGN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A HAND WASHING SIGN AT FRONT PREP AREA HAND SINK REMINDING EMPLOYEES THAT THEY MUST WASH HANDS.

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 THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WITH A CHEMICAL CONCENTRATION OF 0PPM AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MACHINE IN USE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRAION. DISH MACHINE TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UNTIL EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST 50 PPM AND REINSPECTED BY CDPH. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER PRESENT FOR 2 DOOR PREP COOLER ON MAIN PREP LINE AND 2 DOOR GLASS COOLER IN SERVER AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A THERMOMETER TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EACH COLD HOLDING UNIT.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD BOXES AND CRATES OF VEGETABLES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA, NEAR THE REAR DOOR, AND IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS IN BOXES STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA AS WELL AS ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO SANITIZING TEST STRIPS (CHLORINE) AVAILABLE FOR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOKING AREA AND SURROUNDING AREAS TO BE HEAVILY COATED IN FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE. OBSERVED INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE ON MAIN PREP LINE TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS. OBSERVED INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF SMALL TOASTER OVEN AT FRONT PREP COUNTER AND ON THE SURROUNDING SHELF AROUND THE TOASTER OVEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREAS FREE OF EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED HAND SINK LOCATED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE MAIN COOK LINE TO BE EXTREMELY SLOW DRAINING WHEN USED. HAND SINK IS STILL FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN HAND SINK IN GOOD REPAIR.

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: OBSERVED THE FLOORS BELOW THE ENTIRE COOKING LINE AND FRYERS TO BE HEAVILY COATED IN GREASE BUILD UP AS WELL AS FOOD DEBRIS. OBSERVED FLOOR IN REAR DRY STORAGE AREA TO BE HEAVILY SOILED WITH SPILLAGE OF SEEDS, DEBRIS, AND PLASTIC. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN BOTH AREAS TO BE FREE OF EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DEBRIS BUILD UP.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE OF THE FILTERS OF THE VENTILATION HOOD TO BE BROKEN AND MISSING PIECES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO MAINTAIN HOOD IN GOOD REPAIR.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED ONE OF THE FILTERS OF THE VENTILATION HOOD TO BE BROKEN AND MISSING PIECES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO MAINTAIN HOOD IN GOOD REPAIR.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.