TROPICUBA CAFE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN FRONT BEVERAGE AND REAR DISHWASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS. CORRECTED ON SITE PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT BOTH HANDWASHING STATIONS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED BEEF STEW HELD AT 49.8F AND GROUND BEEF HELD AT 52.7F IN WALK IN COOLER. ALL COLD TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR LOWER. BEEF STEW AND GROUND BEEF(30LBS/$300) VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED BY MANAGER. 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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED LARGE WHITE AND GRAY CONTAINERS UNDER LARGE PREP TABLE IN REAR KITCHEN AREA WITHOUT COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF FOOD.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED PACKAGED DESSERTS NOT PROPERLY LABELED IN THE PREP COOLER.INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL DESSERTS WITH COMMON NAME, NAME OF MANUFACTURER AND ADDRESS, INGREDIENTS, NET CONTENTS, ETC..

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED REAR EXIT DOOR WITH SMALL OPENING AT BASE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL REAR EXIT DOOR OPENING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTH LAYING ON PREP TABLE. ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED PANS AND POTS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT POTS AND PANS WHEN STORING. OBSERVED POTS AND PANS ON FLOOR IN REAR KITCHEN/ DISHWASHING AREA INSTRUCTED TO STORE POTS AND PANS ON SHELVES IN REAR KITCHEN AREA.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS ON PREP TABLE, ABOVE SMALL COOLERS AND RED AND GREEN CUTTING BOARDS DEEPLY SCRATCHED AND STAINED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED MILK CRATES USED THROUGHOUT FACILITY FOR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE MILK CRATES FOR STORAGE AND TO PROVIDE SHELVING TO STORE FOOD AND NON FOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED RUSTY SHELVES IN WALKIN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SHELVES.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED WOODEN SHELF IN FRONT SERVING AREA WITH PEELING PAINT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT, SEAL SMOOTHLY WITH FOOD GRADE SEALANT AND TO MAINTAIN SURFACE OF WOODEN SHELF.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET AT FRONT 2 DOOR PREP LINE COOLER AND IN REAR 1 DOOR STAND-UP FREEZER.INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TORN DOOR GASKETS AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED SHELVES ABOVE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH DUST BUILDUP ON SURFACE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED MICROWAVE WITH FOOD SPILLAGE ON INTERIOR, 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE ON COFFEE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW ON COFFEE MACHINE.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTABLE IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTABLE.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON GROUND SURROUNDING DUMPSTER AND GREASE CONTAINER INSTRUCTED TO SWEEP AND MAINTAIN AREA.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES. OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN WALKIN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE FLOOR TILES AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS UNDERNEATH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR STORAGE , AND BEHIND SMALL TWO DOOR COOLERS IN FRONT SERVING AREA WITH DIRT AND GREASE BUILDUP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED WALK IN COOLER WITH DEBRIS AND FOOD SPILLS ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED REAR STORAGE WITH ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE AND ELEVATE ALL ITEMS IN REAR STORAGE 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: OBSERVED HOODS WITH GREASE AND DUST BUILDUP ON INTERIOR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED DUSTY VENT COVER IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENT COVER.

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: OBSERVED DUSTY VENT COVER IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENT COVER.

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.