THE FLAT TOP GRILL Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SOURCE OF CROSS CONTAMINATION CONTROLLED I.E. CUTTING BOARDS, FOOD HANDLERS, UTENSILS, ETC - Comments: All food shall be protected from contamination and the elements, and so shall all food equipment, containers, utensils, food contact surfaces and devices, and vehicles. The interior of the ice machine is rusty and has a buildup on the interior lip and the interior of the ice crusher has a greasy, dirty buildup. Wash, rinse and sanitize and repair the ice machine and ice crusher so they are sanitary.

These activities introduce saliva and contaminants into food areas, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses to customers.

Food employees must not eat, drink, or use tobacco in food preparation areas.

Eating, drinking, tobacco use only in designated areas; Closed beverage containers with straw allowed in some areas; Proper tasting using clean utensil each time; No personal items in food prep areas.

SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW - Comments: In food establishments, there shall be adequate sewage and waste water disposal facilities that comply with all the requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago. The soda gun waste line is missing and waste from the dirty soda gun holder falls directly onto the clean ice in the bin. Install a waste line into the drain line connection in the soda gun holder and direct the flow down a sanitary drain. A length of soda line hose is being is being run from the soda gun holder to the drain.

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.

HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA - Comments: Adequate and convenient hand washing facilities shall be provided for all employees. The rear prep area hand sink is full of maintenance and cleaning supplies while food is being prepared in said area. All items were removed from the sink at this time so it is accessible for the food handlers to wash there hands.

Missing supplies prevent proper handwashing, forcing inadequate cleaning that spreads pathogens.

All handwashing sinks must have soap and hand drying provisions.

Soap in dispensers at each sink; Paper towels in dispensers or air dryers; Supplies maintained during all hours; Waste receptacles if paper towels used.

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090 - Comments: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Serious 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. All the above violations were corrected during inspection.

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: All food should be properly protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation. Numberous boxes of food and a scale are on the dirty floor of the walk in cooler. Keep all food products stored 6 inches off of the floor and wash, rinse and sanitize the scale and store it in a sanitary manner.

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.

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.

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.