Proper reheating procedures for hot holding

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Observed cooked mushrooms, cooked quinoa in the walk-in cooler stored covered with plastic food lids while cooling. Instructed to store tcs food items loosely-covered or uncovered (if protected from overhead contamination) while cooling to facilitate heat transfer and maintain.

Thermometers provided & accurate

Observed line coolers at the front service line area missing internal ambient air thermometers. Instructed to provide at least one internal ambient air thermometer in a conspicuous and easily-viewable location in all equipment used to cold-hold tcs food items and maintain at all times.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed metal stem thermometer with probe bent and in poor repair. Instructed to repair or replace metal stem thermometer and maintain all utensils and temperature measuring devices in good repair and calibration at all times. Facility has additional metal stem thermometers on-site for monitoring food temperatures.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Observed no running hot water at handwashing sink in kitchen near three compartment sink. Instructed person in charge hot water must be available at all hand-washing sinks and must be at least 100f. Priority violation #7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Observed a 1/4" gap around entirety of of the rear exit door. Must provide a tight-fitting seal at all outer openings to prevent the entry of pests.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed missing ice bin covers at front bar ice bins. Must provide and maintain ice bin covers.

Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled

Observed plates, bowls, pots and pans stored near hot cooking equipment not inverted. Instructed to invert plates, bowls, pots and pans after sanitizing and air drying.

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Observed outside dumpster with lids not closed due to trash overflowing. Instructed to correct and maintain to ensure tight fitting lids. Priority foundation violation #7-38-020(b). Citation issued.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed mop in a position that does not allow to dry properly and prevent pest harborage. Must store mop after use in a mounted position that allows for air-drying without soiling and pest harboraging.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed food debris and spills on the floors and surfaces throughout the facility. Instructed to detail clean under all shelving units, interior of prep dish area, around dish machine, prep tables and all cooking equipment to remove spills, food debris, dirt buildup and/or grease. Instructed to increase cleaning frequency and maintain at all times.

Proper cold holding temperatures

Observed tcs food items in the walk-in cooler at improper cold-holding temperatures: raw beef at 48.4f, grilled onions between 50.5f and 55.2f at time of inspection. Instructed to denature and discard all tcs food items at improper cold-holding temperatures and maintain all tcs food items at 41.0f or below for cold-holding. Approximately 20 lbs. Of food valued at approximately $35.00 discarded on-site at time of inspection. Person-in-charge denatured and discarded listed food items on-site at time of inspection. Priority violation. 7-38-005 citation combined with violation #19.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed food containers stored directly beneath dripping condensate water lines in the walk-in cooler. Instructed to relocate food items store food containers outside of probitied areas such as beneath water lines on which water has condensed and maintain.

Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used

Observed single-service articles in original containers stored directly on the floor of the front service area and rear storage hallway. Instructed to relocate single-service article containers and maintain single-service articles at least 6 inches above the floor at all times.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed the following physical facilities to be soiled: build up of ice and dust debris at the walk-in freezer fan assembly, build up of grease and dried food debris on floor beneath 3-compartment sink in the warewashing area. Instructed to clean physical facilities at adequate frequency to prevent build up of soil and maintain.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Noted no hot water at restroom handsink and front hot foods prep handsink. Instructed person in charge hot water at all handwashing sinks must be at least 100f. Service technician arrived on site and now all sinks are maintained between 102f - 105f. Priority violation #7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

Food properly labeled; original container

Observed food stored in containers in all the coolers, walk in cooler and dry storage without proper labeling of name. Instructed to person in charge to provide a label reflecting the food item's name when food has been remove from its original packaging.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Observed evidence of rodent activity on the premises. Observed approximately 25 mouse droppings on the floor under handwashing sink in dry storage, in corner in office, under storage rack near freezer, and behind storage rack in rear next to walk in cooler. Management instructed to clean and remove all rodent droppings from all affected areas. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation #7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed food containers stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler, prep and storage areas. Instructed manager to properly store and protect food items from contamination while stored by elevating at least six inches from the floor on raised shelving units.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Noted multiple storage racks throughout premises in poor repair with both rack on floor, or with crate under to hold in place. Instructed to repair or replace and maintain.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Observed drainpipe leaking under hand washing sink in dry storage area. Instructed to repair leaking drainpipe.

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Observed storage area and enclosure for refuse, recyclables, or returnables littered with trash. Instructed to remove and maintain a mentioned areas shall be maintained free of unnecessary items.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed grease buildup, spills, food debris, and dirt on floor, under, behind, and on top of all heavy (cooking, hot hold, cold hold, refrigeration) equipment, along walls and in all corners in prep, dish washing, and rear storage. Instructed manager to clean floors under all equipment, along walls and in all corners in all areas.

Allergen training as required

Observed the city of Chicago food certified manager with no proof of allergen training certificate. Instructed all city of Chicago certified food managers obtain this certificate.

Previous core violation corrected

Noted previous core violations from report # 2626278 date 10/30/2025 they are as follows: 38. Observed fly paper in rear prep area. Instructed person in charge to remove and have licensed pest control technician abate fly activity. 49. Observed shelving in walk in cooler with build up of rust and debris. Instructed person in charge to remove rust or replace. 55. Observed build up of food debris and grime on floor in rear area under sliding door cooler and shelving, around grease trap, and under rolling dry ingredient containers. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain. Must correct all previous core violations by due date. Priority foundation violation #7-42-090. Citation issued.