THE GAGE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED PRIORITY VIOLATION NOTED. PLEASE SEE VIOLATION #9. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT CELERY FOR DRINKS BY A BARTENDER BEHIND THE BAR AND BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT BREAD BY A FOOD HANDLER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO NEVER ALLOW BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS AND TO ALWAYS WASH HANDS AND USE FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES WHEN HANDLING ALL READY TO EAT FOODS AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEES TO DISCARD SAID ITEMS, WASH HADNS AND PUT ON FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED SODA GUN NOZZLES WITH A MINOR ACCUMULATED DEBRIS LOCATED AT THE DOWNSTAIRS BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED SOME PREP COOLER UNITS WITHOUT THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED GLASSWARE AND UTENSILS BEING PRE-SET ON THE CUSTOMER DINING TABLES WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT GLASSWARE AND COVER UTENSILS SO THAT THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION AT ALL TIMES.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE WALLS LOCATED AROUND THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A BLACK SUBSTANCE ON THE WALLS LOCATED AROUND THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.