YEP KITCHEN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: UPON ARRIVAL, OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE, WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. INSTRUCTED A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. 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 AN INACCESSIBLE HANDWASHING SINKS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. THERE WAS BLUE, FLOOR DRYING BLOWER FAN INSIDE THE HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND AT THE OTHER HANDWASHING THERE WERE BUCKETS OF FOOD ITEMS AND A BIG POT IN FRONT OF THE SINK. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HANDWASHING SINKS SO THAT THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEE USE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED NO SHELLSTOCK TAG ATTACHED TO BULK CONTAINER OF OYSTERS, LOCATED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INFORMED MANAGER THAT TAG MUST REMAIN ATTACHED TO CONTAINER UNTIL CONTAINER IS EMPTY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROVAL SOURCES OF SHELLFISH AND MAINTAIN TAGS FOR 90 DAYS ON PREMISES. APPROXIMATELY 13LBS AT $150 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. FOUND THE FOLLOWING RAW TCS FOOD ITEMS OUT AT AMBIENT AIR: GROUND PORK (53.1F), LIVER (50.3F), 6 EGGS (50.2F), SHRIMP (51.0F). FOUND APPROXIMATELY 15 DOZEN EGGS STORED ON A STORAGE RACK AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AT TEMPERATURES RANGING 57.7F-58.8F. LASTLY FOUND LIVER (50.1F) AND BEEF (50.4F) IN A REFREIGERATOR NEAR THE REAR EXIT DOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. APPROXIMATELY 20LBS AT $185 WORTH OF PRODUCT DISCARED AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY 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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED NO SUSHI RICE ANALYSIS LETTER OR pH TEST KIT ON-SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SUSHI RICE ANALYSIS LETTER OR OBTAIN A pH TEST KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 25-30 RAT DROPPINGS ON SITE. THE RAT DROPPINGS WERE FOUND ON THE FLOOR IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, NEAR THE DRAIN BOARD OF THE DISHWASHING MACHINE, UNDER THE SHELVES WHERE THE DRY INGREDIENTS ARE STORED IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA, AND UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE SUSHI PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RAT DROPPINGS, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A), CITATION ISSUED

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT RODENT PROOF AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF MENTIONED DOOR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED DISPOSABLE CUPS STORED INSIDE THE BULK DRY INGREDIENT CONTAINERS. ALSO FOUND CONTAINERS OF DRY FOOD ITEMS ON THE SHELVES IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA NOT COVERED. INSTRUCTED TO USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES TO TRANFER FOOD ITEMS AND COVER DRY FOOD ITEMS, WHILE UNATTENDED.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE OUTERIOR ON THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH SLIGHT GREASE BUILD UP. INSTURCTED TO DEEP 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 SLIGHT BLACK BUILD UP ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE PANEL ABOVE THE ICE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE MENTIONED UNIT.

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 THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITH A LEAK AT THE PIPE. WATER PROFUSELY LEAKING INTO A BUCKET OF WATER UNDER PIPE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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 THE FOLLOWING FLOORS NOT CLEAN: UNDER/BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT, THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA, UNDER THE SHELVES WERE THE DRY INGREDIENTS ARE STORED IN THE REAR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA, UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FRONT SERVICE/ PREP AREA. ALSO, THE WALLS AND PIPES BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT OBSERVED WITH GREASE DROPLETS AND GREASE RESIDUE. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN MENTIONED FLOORS AND WALLS.

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: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE FOOD HANDLER COURSE AND RECORDS MUST BE MAINTAINED ON SITE.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST TAKE FOOD HANDLER COURSE AND RECORDS MUST BE MAINTAINED ON SITE.

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.