WAFFLES Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED (BACON, CHICKEN). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND SINK IN MAIN PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT HAND SINK AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY DRY HANDS. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK LOCATED AT COFFEE BAR. MUST PROVIDE.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED MINOR PINK BUILD UP INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE. MUST 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 50.3F INSIDE OF SLIDING COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF SLIDING COOLER IN PREP AREA. SHREDDED CHEESE FOUND AT 51.2F, TACO MEAT FOUND AT 49.4F, DICED TOMATOES FOUND AT 53.2F, BACON FOUND AT 49.2F, SAUSAGE FOUND AT 50.1F, CHORIZO FOUND AT 47.3F, SAUSAGE PATTIES FOUND AT 47.1F, SLICED HAM FOUND AT 50.3F, COOKED HASH FOUND AT 47.8F, HAMBURGER PATTIES FOUND AT 54.1F AND STEAK MEAT FOUND AT 48.2F. TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. FOOD HAS BEEN DISCARDED AND DENATURED. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 75 LBS AT A COST OF $300.00. 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF SLIDING COOLER AT 53.6F. PROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT MUST BE AT 41.0F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD EMPLOYEE CUTTING RAW STEAK MEAT WITHOUT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR AN EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINT AT ALL TIMES WHILE PREPPING FOOD.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DIRTY CUTTING BOARD AT MAIN PREP LINE WITH DARK STAINS AND DEEP GROOVES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN/REPLACE.

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 GROCERY BAGS BEING USED AS FOOD STORAGE IN 2-DOOR FREEZER. MUST USE FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS TO STORE FOOD.

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 NO SINK STOPPERS AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT DISH WASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE.

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 HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP INTERIOR OF COOKING FRYER. MUST DETAIL 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 2 WASH BOWLS IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM. WATER TEMPERATURE AT WASH BOWL ON RIGHT SIDE WAS READING AT 87.4F. MUST MAINTAIN WATER TEMPERATURE AT 100.0F.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED BRICK AT COFFEE BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY SEAL.

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 EXPOSED BRICK AT COFFEE BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY SEAL.

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.