La Central Bakery

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Mar 11, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   1 critical7 general1 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No one in charge was present who knew the food-safety rules.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no person in charge with sanitation manager training on site at time of inspection.

     Official wording (code 1)

     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 20 live ants in restroom in rear prep area. Instructed person in charge to remove all ants, sanitize areas, and inform pest control of need for service. Priority foundation #7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed exterior double gray doors in rear storage area to have 1/2 in gap at bottom. Instructed person in charge to repair and maintain doors tight fitting for the prevention of pest.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of food residue on bottoms of tables and shelving. Instructed person in charge to detail clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed restroom door not self closing. Instructed person in charge to repair restroom door to be self closing and maintain.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed unisex restroom to have broken lid on covered receptacle. Instructed person in charge to replace or repair.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed build up of residue and food debris on floors in rear prep area along perimeter behind equipment and under shleving, especially around grease trap. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed vent above cashier area covered in dust. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 56)

     Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     No manager on duty held a City of Chicago food sanitation certificate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no valid city of chicago sanitation certificate on site at time of inspection. Instructed person in charge certificate as well as certified manager must be on site at all times tcs foods are being prepped and served (milk, cream). Priority foundation #7-38-012. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 2)

     City of chicago food service sanitation certificate

2. Dec 12, 2019 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   2 critical10 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     No written plan or kit for cleaning up vomit or diarrhea.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no written procedures or supplies for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Supplies must include adequate sanitizer that eliminates norovirus. Instructed facility to provide clean up policy and supplies to properly handle bodily fluid spills on site. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 5)

     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

     Hand sinks were missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no hand washing signs at the hand sinks on premise. Instructed to provide hand washing signs at all hand sinks on premise.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • GeneralFood temperature

     Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no thermometer inside two door refrigeration unit located near the back door. Instructed to equip all refrigeration units with accurate and working thermometers. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 36)

     Thermometers provided & accurate

   • GeneralFood handling

     Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no labels for bulk sugar, flour, and other storage container stored underneath the prepping table in baking area. Instructed person in charge all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with contents name.

     Official wording (code 37)

     Food properly labeled; original container

   • GeneralPests

     Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the two front entrance doors to the building not rodent proof with gap at the bottom of the doors. Instructed to seal gaps to prevent entry points for pests.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed torn door gasket inside of the front 2 door cooler near the register. Instructed to replace the gaskets on the front 2 door cooler.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the two shelves in the baking area to have chipped paint. Instructed to clean and repaint with non toxic food grade paint and/or replace.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed an accumulation of dust and food debris under shelves and tabletop equipment in the prep areas. Must detail clean all areas and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the hood baffles in the baking area to be soiled with grease accumulation and dust. Instructed to clean the baffles of the hood in the baking area.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the hand sink in the food prep area to have a slow drain. Instructed to repair plumbing.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Toilet rooms weren’t built, stocked, or cleaned properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the women employee restroom to not have a covered receptacle. Instructed to provide a covered recptacle in the women employee restroom.

     Official wording (code 53)

     Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Observed the floors in the food prep and baking area to be soiled with food debris and dust. Instrcuted to clean and maintain floors throughout the food prep and baking area.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

3. Dec 8, 2016 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   2 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Detail clean the exterior of the food storage containers, prep tables.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Clean the walls of the food prep area opposite to the ovens.

4. Dec 1, 2016 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   7 general Show violations

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

     Inspector’s note: Food not protected from contamination during storage and display. Observed bread stored on rolling racks in the middle of the customer area not protected from contamination by the public. Also, observed trays of desserts stored uncovered on the counter not protected from contamination by the public. Management removed the rolling racks and trays at my request. Serious violation 7-38-005a.

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

     Inspector’s note: Observed live fruit flies on the walls of the washroom outside of the cake decorating area and in the cake decorating area. Approximately 30 live fruit flies were observed in these areas. Additional pest control service is needed to minimize or eliminate the pest activity. Serious violation 7-38-020.

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090

     Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations from report #1596253 on 12/18/15 not corrected: 30 - prepackaged cakes not properly labeled. Instructed to provide labels. 33 - observed the following equipment with excessive food debris, grease accumulation: basins of all sinks, legs wheels and all attached piping of donut fryer and prep tables. Instructed to clean and maintain same. 36 - light out in prep area. Missing light shield and end caps. Advised to provide adequate lighting, clean, and maintain same. Serious violation 7-42-090.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Detail clean the exterior of the food storage containers, interior of beverage cooler, prep tables.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

     Inspector’s note: Replace the broken floor tiles under the mixers in the east food prep area. Clean the floor in the cake decorating area and remove cardboard from the floor.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Clean the walls of the food prep area opposite to the ovens.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters

     Inspector’s note: The washroom door that opens into the cake decorating prep area is not self-closing. Must install a self-closing door device on this door.

5. Dec 18, 2015 Pass

   Complaint Re-Inspection · Pass

   6 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

     Inspector’s note: Prepackaged cakes not properly labeled. Instructed to provide labels.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Observed worn cauking with black mold like surface near 3 compartment sink and wall. Advised must repair and maintain. Gaskets in proofer and walkin cooler in poor repair, torn, not tight fitting. Instructed to repair and maintain same. Hindges on proofer in poor repair. Instructed to repair and maintain same

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Observed the following equipment with excessive food debris, grease accumulation: basins of all sinks, legs wheels and all attached piping of donut fryer and prep tables. Instructed to clean and maintain same.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

     Inspector’s note: Observed broken and or missing floor tiles near donut fryer.floor under donut fryer soiled with food debris, grease buildup. Advised must repair,clean and maintain same

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Oberved missing wall tile near boiler for exposed sink. Instructed my repair and maintain same. Observed exhaust fan with excessive buildup of dust. Instructed to clean and maintain same. Observed wall base in poor repair near donut fryer. Instructed to repair and maintain same.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

     Inspector’s note: Light out in prep area. Missing light sheild and end caps. Advised to provide adequate lighting, clean, and maintain same

6. Dec 15, 2015 Fail

   Complaint · Fail

   1 critical7 general Show violations

   • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

     Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Exposed hand sink on west side of prep area in poor repair, no hot running water. Instructed to repair same. Citation issued 7-38-030 critical.

   • GeneralSerious (pre-2018 form)

     Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

     Inspector’s note: Observed food not protected during display. Several racks of baked goods uncovered, on rolling rack in customer area. Several trays of baked goods uncovered on counter. Instd to protect food at all times during storage and display. Citation issued serious 7-38-005a

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

     Inspector’s note: Prepackaged cakes not properly labeled. Instructed to provide labels.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Observed worn cauking with black mold like surface near 3 compartment sink and wall. Advised must repair and maintain. Gaskets in proofer and walkin cooler in poor repair, torn, not tight fitting. Instructed to repair and maintain same. Hindges on proofer in poor repair. Instructed to repair and maintain same.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Observed the following equipment with excessive food debris, grease accumulation: basins of all sinks, legs wheels and all attached piping of donut fryer and prep tables. Instructed to clean and maintain same.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

     Inspector’s note: Observed broken and or missing floor tiles near donut fryer.floor under donut fryer soiled with food debris, grease buildup. Advised must repair,clean and maintain same

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Oberved missing wall tile near boiler for exposed sink. Instructed my repair and maintain same. Observed exhaust fan with excessive buildup of dust. Instructed to clean and maintain same. Observed wall base in poor repair near donut fryer. Instructed to repair and maintain same.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

     Inspector’s note: Light out in prep area. Missing light sheild and end caps. Advised to provide adequate lighting, clean, and maintain same.

7. Jun 13, 2014 Conditional

   Canvass · Pass w/ Conditions

   1 critical5 general Show violations

   • CriticalCritical (pre-2018 form)

     Facilities to maintain proper temperature

     Inspector’s note: Observed walk in cooler at 50.0 f upon inspection. Potentially hazardous food within walk in cooler at time of inspection. Walk in cooler must maintain 40f or less at all times while containing potentially hazardous food. Unit repaired during inspection. Critical violation 7-38-005 (a).

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Observed food accumulation of flour and dough buldup on large equipment. Clean and maintian all free standing equipment and maintain.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Clean and maintain light sheild in walk in cooler.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Opbserved grease accumlation on filters above doughnut frying station. Clean and maintain filters.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Observed light switch to walk in cooler in disrepair. Repair light switch and maintain.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

     Inspector’s note: Observed dust accumulation on ceiling vent in bakery display room. Clean and maintain vent.

8. Oct 16, 2012 Pass

   Canvass · Pass

   3 general Show violations

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

     Inspector’s note: Defrost and clean the reachin chest freezer thick with ice buildup in it.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

     Inspector’s note: Clean the floors throughout premises 1st floor and basement along the walls and in the corners and under and behind the heavy equipment has dust and food debris on them.

   • GeneralMinor (pre-2018 form)

     Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

     Inspector’s note: Clean all the vents throughout premises has dust buildup on them.

9. Aug 5, 2011 Pass

   License · Pass

   No violations

10. Jul 28, 2011 Fail

    License · Fail

    No violations