THAI BOWL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 50F, WITH POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USING COOLER UNTIL SERVICED, AND MAINTAINING A COLD TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED PREP COOLER. 60 LBS OF BEEF, 50F, VALUED AT $40. 5 LBS OF CHICKEN, 50F, VALUED AT $10. 10 LBS OF SHRIMP, 47F, VALUED AT $25. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS COLD FOODS AT 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED BOTH INTERIOR & EXTERIOR FRONT DOORS NOT RODENT PROOFED. 1/4" GAP ON OUTER DOOR, AND 1/4" GAP ON INNER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL THE PROPER THRESHOLD ON AT MINIMUM, THE OUTER ENTRY DOOR, TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: MUST LABEL ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM IT'S ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST DISCONTINUE USING GROCERY BAGS TO STORE FOOD IN COOLERS & FREEZER, USE FOOD GRADE BAGS INSTEAD.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DRIED FOOD DEBRIS FROM INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ALL PREP COOLERS, DEEP FREEZERS, AND LOWER SHELVES ON ALL PREP TABLES. CLEAN GREASE ACCUMULATION FROM STOVE, FRYER, AND WOK.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, TOILET ROOMS AND CUSTOMER SEATING AREA.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST REPLACE STAINED AND MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE THE SMOOTHIES BAR. CLEAN GREASE ACCUMULATION FROM KITCHEN HOOD & FILTERS.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: MUST REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REPAIR THE NON-WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN THE SMALL TOILET ADJACENT TO THE SMOOTHIE BAR.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REPAIR THE NON-WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN THE SMALL TOILET ADJACENT TO THE SMOOTHIE BAR.

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.