TASTE OF CANTON Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD STORAGE PRACTICES. OBSERVED RAW EGGS STORED DIRECTLY OVER TOMATOES IN THE PREP COOLER. ALSO NOTED RAW BEEF STORED DIRECTLY OVER READY-TO-EAT BEEF. FOOD SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CROSS-CONTAMINATION BY ARRANGING ALL FOODS TO BE STORED, HELD, AND DISPLAYED IN ORDER OF MINIMUM COOKING TEMPERATURES. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: FOUND AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGHOUT THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE (LOCATED INSIDE THE TOP INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE BEHIND THE PANEL). ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF ICE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (BEEF, HALF AND HALF, EGGS, AND COOKED PASTA) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 62.9F - 50.7F. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F. APPROX 50 LB OF FOOD AT $300 DISCARDED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (TCS): COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED PASTA, AND COOKED BEEF, HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ANY READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED REACH IN COOLER AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 53.6F AT THE INSPECTION. MUST DISCARD ALL TCS FOODS AND NOT USE THE REACH-IN COOLER. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO NO LONGER USE COOLER UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED BY CDPH AND MAINTAINED A TEMPERATURE 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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FROZEN BEEF THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR IN THE REFRIGERATOR AND NOT THAW FOODS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: FOUND NO THERMOMETERS IN ANY PREP COOLERS OR REACH-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS TO ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.

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: FOUND PEST INFESTATION AT TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED APPROX. 800 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: THROUGHOUT THE BAR COUNTERTOP BEHIND POWDERED FOOD TOPPINGS AND BLENDER, THROUGHOUT THE BAR FLOOR, BEHIND THE CHEMICAL UNDER HAND WASHING SINK NEXT TO 3 COMP SINK, BEHIND THE COLD DRINK COOLER LOCATED DIRECTLY NEXT TO 3 COMP SINK, THROUGHOUT DRY STORAGE ON FLOOR, IN MALTOSE FOOD CONTAINER LOCATED IN DRY STORAGE, ON TOP OF SUGAR CONTAINER, BEHIND BULK DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS. NOTED APPROX 7 LIVE ROACHES ON SITE UNDER FOOD PREP STATION ON WALL ABOVE HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND COLD DRINK COOLER COMING OUT OF BROKEN WALL TILE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID AREAS. MUST CONTACT PEST CONTROL. 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 FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX 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 ARTICLES STORED ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES SIX 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: FOUND EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP AND FOOD DEBRIS ON WOK STOVE, FRYERS, AND OVENS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE GREASE, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID AREAS. NOTED BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGHOUT ALL SHELVES ON ALL PREP COOLERS, REACH-IN COOLERS, AND WALK-IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. FOUND EXCESSIVE BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND BROKEN TILE BEHIND COLD DRINK REACH IN COOLER LOCATED DIRECTLY NEXT TO WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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: FOUND ALL FLOORS UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT FILLED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. NOTED VENT AND TILES OVER WAREWASHING AREA, AND WALK-IN COOLER/ FREEZER FILLED WITH DUST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: FOUND BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE.

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: FOUND BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULB ABOVE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE.

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.