WAJO CUPS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: THE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISE OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE SERVED AND PREPARED. 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: BOTH FRONT AND REAR PREP/DISH HAND WASHING SINKS NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. SUSHI PREP HAND SINK WITH TOWELS AND TOOL STORED INSIDE. REAR PREP/DISH HAND SINK WITH A BASKET OF SOY SAUCE PACKETS INSIDE. REVIEWED HAND SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR USE AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE REMOVED. 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: NO PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE AT THE REAR PREP/DISH HAND WASHING SINK.MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #10 FOR CITATION.

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: NO SOAP AVAILABLE AT THE FRONT SUSHI PREP HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. SEE THE ABOVE VIOLATION #10 FOR CITATION.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: SOILED LINENS IMPROPERLY STORED ON THE FLOOR AND IN AN OPEN BUS PAN IN THE REAR PREP. MUST STORED IN A SEALED CONTAINER.

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: NOTED THE INTERIOR OF AN UNUSED ONE DOOR COOLER AT THE FRONT PREP EXTREMELY DIRTY.----CLOTH CURTAINS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE KITCHEN BADLY STAINED AND DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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: NOTED INTERIOR OF BOTH TOASTER OVENS AND TOP OF THE GAS STOVE WITH EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS.---INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN THE PREP AREA DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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: NOTED A HOSE ATTACHED TO PIPING UNDER THE REAR DISH HAND WASHING SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST INSTALL.

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: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FRONT STORAGE ROOM AND THE FAR REAR STORAGE CLOSET NEXT TO THE EXIT DOOR MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER ITEMS MUST BE STORED ORGANIZED AND ELEVATED.

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: WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES AT THE EXHAUST HOOD.----MISSING CEILING TILE AT THE REAR FREEZER STORAGE. MUST REPLACE ALL.

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: NOTED FRONT PREP FLOOR MATS IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION AND UNBALE TO CLEAN. MUST REPLACE.----MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS MATTING FOR FLOORS THROUGHOUT.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2603047 ON 9-18-24 NOT CORRECTED.#37- OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).#49- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND FREEZERS.#51- OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF LEFT FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.#55- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (MILK CRATES,BUILDING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ETC.) DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #2603047 ON 9-18-24 NOT CORRECTED.#37- OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM WITHOUT A LABEL.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON ALL BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY ITEM (SALT, SUGAR, FLOUR ETC).#49- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVE AND PREP COOLERS AND FREEZERS.#51- OBSERVED WATER LEAK AT BASE OF LEFT FAUCET AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PLUMBING LEAK AND MAINTAIN.#55- INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (MILK CRATES,BUILDING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ETC.) DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE MOPS,BROOMS CLEANING EQUIPMENTS OFF THE FLOOR AT LEAST 6" INCHES TO FACILITATE CLEANING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.