THAI LAGOON RESTAURANT Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (RICE AT 168.1F) WAS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE 6 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 53.6F, BEEF AT 79.3F, EGGS AT 56.5F, CUT TOMATOES AT 51.8F, TOFU AT 53.6F, AND CREAM CHEESE AT 56.1F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROX. 100# OF FOOD WORTH $500. 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 COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE 6 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 53F. THE PREP COOLER WAS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE PREP COOLER BELOW 41F. 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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE WET WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE USE FORKS, SPOONS AND KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE WITH HANDLES UP TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BY HANDS.

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: OBSERVED SHELLED PEANUTS STORED IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH CARDBOARD BOXES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE A FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINER WHICH CAN BE WASHED AND SANITIZED.

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: CLEAN THE ROLLING CARTS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, INTERIOR OF FREEZER, WIRE STORAGE RACKS NEXT TO THE GRILL AND ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, PREP TABLES, STAINLESS STEEL STORAGE SHELVES ABOVE THE PREP COOLER, AND INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER.

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: CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA UNDER EQUIPMENT AND UNDER THE DRY STORAGE SHELVES. CLEAN THE GREASE AND DUST ON THE WALLS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA.

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: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.

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: THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE THE VENTILATION FAN.

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.