THE FLAT TOP GRILL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous food shall have adequate refrigerated food storage facilities. The large west walk-in cooler has a 47?f ambient air temperature and the smaller east walk-in cooler has a 45?f ambient air temperature. A technician from Lara Refrigeration cleaned the coils and was able to restore an adequate temperature of 38.2?f to 38.8?f at the coils at this time. 40?f ambient air temperature restored at this time.

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: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. 399 pounds of potentially hazardous foods including raw squid(47f), cooked tempeh(49f) (vegetable protein), beef(48f), egg products(48f), Cooked soy beans(48f), tofu(49f) were found at inadequate temperatures in the walk in coolers and buffet. $905.00 worth of product was dumped and denatured at this time.

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. The following violations are repeated from report # 161354 dated June 26, 2009 and must be corrected by April 15, 2010. #(32) the walk in cooler shelves are corroded and unsanitary and must be repaired or replaced. Replace all damaged and unsanitary plastic/lexan food containers. (33) The ice machine has a dirty buildup inside the bin and on the door which needs to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. (34) Replace the damaged baseboard behind the employee hand sink.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: The "clean" cooking utensils are stored in a dirty bucket hanging in the rear prep area, store utensils in a sanitary manner.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. The walk in cooler doors and handles are encrusted with food buildup and must be washed, rinsed and sanitized.

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: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. The 1 door cooler in the front prep area has an unsanitary interior floor and a door that won't stay closed and the front 2 door cooler has pinholes inside that leak water from the coil inside, repair or replace unsanitary refrigeration units. Clean or replace the dish machine racks that are encrusted with grease buildup. The ice bin in the bar has debris in the ice.washed, the ice was discarded and the bin was washed,rinsed and sanitized at this time.

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: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. The floors and baseboards in the rear prep and dishroom are damaged, dirty and a section of tile is missing in front of the large walk in cooler.Clean and maintain the floors and baseboards so they are smooth and sanitary from corner to corner. Reseal the walk in cooler floors so they are smooth, sanitary and easy to maintain.

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: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Repair the rear prep area walls and paneling so they are clean and free of defects.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Repair the rear prep area walls and paneling so they are clean and free of defects.

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.