Lotus Cafe & Banh Mi Sandwiches

Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

Inspector’s note: Observed dirty dishes in the left compartment of the 2-compartment sink and sanitizer (200 ppm qac) in the right compartment of the 2-compartment sink. The 3-compartment sink must be used to wash, rinse and sanitize all utensils. Management instructed to repair the 3-compartment sink. Priority foundation violation 7-38-025. Citation issued.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: The cold water handle for the exposed hand washing sink next to the 3-compartment sink is not operational. Management instructed to repair the handle.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle for proper disposal of sanitary napkins in the womens washroom. Instructed to provide covered waste receptacle.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation from report #2574147 on 4/12/23 was not corrected: 47 -noted the left door on the 2-door prep cooler located in the front prep area broken. Must repair/reattach the door to the cooler and maintain. Priority foundation 7-42-090.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted the left door on the 2-door prep cooler located in the front prep area broken. Must repair/reattach the door to the cooler and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to label bulk food containers with common name to properly identify.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean the exterior surfaces of the cooking equipment where needed to remove grease.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean floor around and under cooking equipment. Clean ceiling ventilation fans in both washrooms to remove dust build up.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: All WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

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

Inspector’s note: Rubber gaskets in poor repair on reach in coolers. Must correct and maintain.

Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

Inspector’s note: No chemical test strips on site to properly measure sanitizer for 3 compartment sink. Manager quickly obtain strips from another location. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005 citation issued.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: All cooking equipment in need of detail cleaning to remove all food spills and build up. Must clean and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: All non food shelves for storage and customer spaces in need of detail cleaning to remove all build up. Must detail clean and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Leak at ptrap at hand sink at front counter near ice machine. Must correct and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Floors and walls in dining area and rear prep area in need of detail cleaning to remove all build and debris. Must detail clean and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Lights in rear prep area in need of replacing and sheilds corrected. Correct and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must paint or stain raw wood storage shelves in rear storage area.

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

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean dried food debris from floors under heavy equipment and in corners throughout both prep areas.

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

Inspector’s note: Must repair peeling paint on walls throughout dining area, surface must be smooth and easily cleanable. Also, clean dust accumulation from ceiling vents throughout premises.

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

Inspector’s note: Must repair detached light shield in rear prep area. Also, replace burned out lights in said area.

Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn

Inspector’s note: Observed employee preparing food without a hair restraint. Instructed to wear hair restraints at all times while preparing food.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cooler gaskets, in front service area with food and debris. Also observed right cooler gasket in need of repair. Instrd manager to clean, replace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed industrial food peeler in rear storage area with excessive food debris on exterior areas. Instrcd manager to clean, maintain and cover due to storage in rear area.

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

Inspector’s note: Small dry storage containers not labeled. Instd to properly label.

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

Inspector’s note: Missing door handle on upright 2 door cooler. Replace handle.

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

Inspector’s note: Interior of hood and filters with excessive grease accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: 3-compartment sink slow draining. Instd to repair and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Front double entrance doors not rodent proof, approx 1 inch gap noted at bottom inbetween doors. Instd to rodent proof doors so as to be tight fitting. Citation issued 7-38-020 serious.

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

Inspector’s note: Floor in corners and along wallbase need detailed cleaning, free of debris.

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

Inspector’s note: Missing outlet cover at wall in dining room, large hole. Instd to repair hole/provide outlet cover.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Missing metal stem thermometer for food handlers. Provide same.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Any food handler working in the City of Chicago, unless that person has a valid Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate is required to meet the food handler training requirement. If someone working in a facility that is not a food handler on a regular basis, but fills in as a food handler when needed, they too must have food handler training.

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

Inspector’s note: Improper pest control noted on premises. 25 mice droppings found on floor inside hot water tank closet adjacent to rear food prep area. Must clean and sanitize all affected areas, seal up all openings found and allow pest control technician access to service area. Serious violation 7-38-020.

* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

Inspector’s note: No certified mgr. On premises at the start of theis invesitigation while potentially hazardous foods were being prepared and served(spring egg rolls, steak sanwiches, tofu). Serious violation 7-38-012(a)

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

Inspector’s note: All cooked and/or prepared foods stored in coolers must be properly labeled and dated if held over 24 hours.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean interior and exterior of small toaster oven in front prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Detail clean floors throughout all food prep, storage closet, and storage areas along all bases of the walls, in corners, underneath and behind all heavy equipment(dirt, debris, droppings).

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

Inspector’s note: Clean dirt build-up from ceiling tiles in rear food prep area. Clean all debris and dirt from all light shields throughout. Clean and/or paint exterior of door to hot water tank closet. Clean all dust build-up from all ceiling vents. Clean greasy build-up from hood and filters above cooking equipment in front food prep area. Clean bottom interior shelf of plastic storage bin in rear outside hallway where cornstarch is stored.

Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn

Inspector’s note: All employees,regardless of title, handling open foods must wear hair restraints.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Ice scoop improperly stored inside large ice machine in rear, must store in a clean container.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Any food handler working in the City of Chicago, unless that person has a valid Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate is required to meet the food handler training requirement. If someone working in a facility that is not a food handler on a regular basis, but fills in as a food handler when needed, they too must have food handler training.

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

Inspector’s note: Must properly label all cooked food items.

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

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean the interior and exterior of all cooking equipment and coolers. Also detail clean the hood above the cooking equipment, prep tables and sinks. Detail clean the exterior of garbage cans in prep areas. Must remove grease and food debris.

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

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean the floors under the cooking equipment, under sinks, along walls and throughout premises.

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

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean walls and the door to the hot water tank closet adjacent to the main prep area. Must remove excessive food spills.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Must provide sanitary containers to properly store all ice dispensing utensils.

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

Inspector’s note: Label bulk storage container in kitchen with name of product inside.

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

Inspector’s note: Small section of door sweep on rear kitchen door leading to common area for neighboring businesses to get to disposal area is loose; reattach. No light visible at this time at bottom of door.

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

Inspector’s note: Must repair leaks at pipe underneath three compartment sink in kitchen. Pipe leaking in two places.