TASTE OF NEW YORK Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: THE PERSON INCHARGE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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 CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON-SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS WERE 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND VERIFIED BY SIGNATURE. MUST PROVIDE A VERIFIED WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE AT INSPECTIONS FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: NO WRITTEN CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH ALL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ON SITE FOR A VOMIT/DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED THE FOOD PREP HAND WASHING NOT ACCESSIBLE, BLOCKED BY SHELVING WITH CASE BOXES OF BAGELS AND SINK BASIN WITH ITEMS STORED INSIDE. MANAGEMENT REMOVED. INSTRUCTED THE HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES FOR HANDWASHING 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.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED TWO DOZEN RAW EGGS AND A PITCHER OF PREPARED BEATEN EGGS BEING STORE DIRECTLY ABOVE READY-TO-EAT SHREDDED CARROTS AND A CONTAINER OF DRESSING ON THE SHELVING UNDERNEATH INSIDE THE DELI DISPLAY COOLER. RAW EGG HAD SPILLED DOWN ONTO THE CONTAINER OF DRESSING. MANAGEMENT REMOVED. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD STORAGE OF RAW AND READY-TO-EAT FOODS. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS OF THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY THAT DISCLOSES AND INFORMS ITEMS SUCH AS UNDERCOOKED EGGS ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST ELEVATE ALL FOODS FROM THE FLOOR INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: NOTED ALL EMPLOYEES NOT WEARING EFFECTIVE HAT/HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE PREPARING FOODS. MUST PROVIDE.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE HALLWAY TO THE BASEMENT AND THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT MUST BE ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS A MEANS OF REPAIR INSIDE THE DELI DISPLAY COOLER.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON THE DELI DISPLAY PREP TABLE IN POOR REPAIR WITH DEEP, BLACKENED GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR RESURFACE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE PAPER FOR LINER FOR SHELVING THROUGHOUT INCLUDING INSIDE THE COOLERS.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE DELI DISPLAY COOLER AND COOLER SLIDING DOORS WITH DIRT AND EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----SMALL ONE DOOR FREEZER WITH EXCESSIVE ICE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND REMOVE ICE.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRTY/SOILED TOILET FIXTURES IN THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA, UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS, INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.-----MUST PROVIDE SMOOTH CLEANABLE WALLS AND CEILING FOR THE BASEMENT DRY FOODS STORAGE.

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: MUST NOT USE REAL BREAD BAGELS AS DECORATION ON SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE DINING ROOM. MUST BE CLEANABLE MATERIAL, SUCH AS PLASTIC.

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: OBSERVED SEVERAL MATTS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR, UNABLE TO CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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: OBSERVED SEVERAL MATTS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR, UNABLE TO CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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.