THE GAGE Gets Conditional Pass on 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. FOUND MAIN KITCHEN WALK-IN COOLER TEMPERATURE AT 62.8F, WHERE PERISHABLE ARE STORED AND COOLED DOWN, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COOLER TEMPS AT 40F OR LOWER, COOLER IS TAGGED, NOT ALLOWED TO USE FOR PERISHABLE STORAGE, MUST FAX A TAG REMOVAL REQUEST WHEN READY.

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. FOUND THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPS: 35 LBS OF RAW ELK MEAT AT 49.2F, 7 LBS OF CHICKEN BROTH AT 50.2F, 24LBS OF HEAVY CREAM AT 49.8, 7LBS OF HAM AT 50.3F AND 6 GAL OF MILK AT 49.0. ALL FOODS WERE STORED IN WALK-IN COOLER FOR MORE THAN A DAY, INSTRUCTED TO STORE SUCH FOODS AT 40F OR LOWER. FOOD ITEMS DISCARDED VALUED AT $638.

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.

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. MUST REPLACE BROKEN RUBBER GASKETS AT PREP COOLERS.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE GOOD WORKING REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER TO ALL COOLERS KEPT IN THE WARMEST PART OF COOLER.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE GOOD WORKING REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER TO ALL COOLERS KEPT IN THE WARMEST PART OF COOLER.

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.