See Thru Chinese Kitchen #21

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

Inspector’s note: Observed white containers of bulk ingredients with fading/erased labels in rear storage area. Instructed person in charge to label containers and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed shelving in cooler with build up of food debris. Instructed person in charge to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in restroom. Instructed person in charge to provide covered receptacle and maintain.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Must provides properly working thermometers inside all cooling units and maintains

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Must provide properly working thermometers inside of all cooling units and maintain

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Must provide properly working thermometers inside of all cooling units and maintain.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food employees wwithout hair restraints on during time of inspection. Instructed to provide and maintain while handling food.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed all heavy equipment (prep tables, shelves, interior and exterior surfaces of cooling units, rolling carts, hot hold units, blenders with accumulated dried food debris. Instructed to remove.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violations not corrected from report #2574902 on 4/25/23. They are as follows... 37)observed no labels for bulk sugar, salt, and flour storage containers stored on the shelving unit near the rear exit. The instructed person in charge of all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with the contents' names. 55) floors need detailed cleaning through to remove spills, grease, and debris. --observed excess clutter and unnecessary articles stored inside the unisex employee restroom. Must remove all unnecessary articles, clean all clutter, organize, and maintain areas at all time. --observed the vents on the ceiling of the food prep area to have dust accumulation. Instructed to clean and maintain the fans on the ceiling above the food prep area. 57)observed no food handler certificates on site at the time of inspection. Instructed all employees must…

Frozen food was thawed the wrong way.

Inspector’s note: Observed frozen meat (chicken) thawing in a plastic container in the food prep area. Management instructed to thaw tcs foods under cold running water, in the refrigerator or in the microwave as part of a continuous cooking process.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no labels for bulk sugar, salt, and flour storage containers stored on the shelving unit near the rear exit. Instructed person in charge all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with contents name.

Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

Inspector’s note: Observed food items stored on floor in walk-in cooler and freezer. Instructed manager to elevate all food six inches off floor.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed soiled wiping cloths stored on prep tables. Instructed manager to store in sanitizing solution between uses.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop improperly stored in ice bin. Must store scoop handle side up outside ice machine.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted assorted food items inside cooler units with food stored inside plastic grocery bags. Instructed to properly store all food items inside approved food grade containers

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the inside of the walk in cooler and freezer with a build up of debris and dirt on floors. Instructed to clean and maintain both.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed an excessive amount of debris and ice buildup on the interior of the smoothie chest freezer. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Floors need detail cleaning through to remove spills, grease and debris.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed excess clutter and unnecessary articles stored inside the unisex employee restroom. Must remove all unnecessary articles, clean all clutter, organize, and maintain areas at all time.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the vents on the ceiling the food prep area to have dust accumulation. Instructed to clean and maintain the fans on the ceiling above the food prep area.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Instructed manager to clean the filter and hood above the cooking equipment to remove grease,debris and dust.

Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

Inspector’s note: Observed bus containers with meat inside sitting on the floor in the food prep area. Instructed to elevate while prepping to avoid any possible contamination.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed large meat cleaver placed in between two prep stations. Instructed to properly store in use items.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed card board lining the lower shelving on the shelving below counters across from the hot line cooking side. Instructed to remove, clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the bottom of the deep fryer units with a build up of grease and food debris. Instructed to clean and maintain all.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no splash guard for hand washing sink near rice cooker. Instructed to provide and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the inside of the walk in cooler and freezer with a build up of debris and dirt on floors. Instructed to clean and maintain both.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed dirt, dust and debris on floor and walls throughout. Instructed to clean and maintain all areas as a means of preventing possible insect and pest harboring.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed a build up of grease and dust on the hood ventilation filters and unit. Instructed to clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as shelving liner throughout facility. Must remove and use smooth and easily cleanable material for storage.

Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

Inspector’s note: Observed prep cooler at improper ambient air temperature of 57.1f. Instructed manager to call for service. All cold holding units must maintain air temperature of 41f or below. Unit tagged for re-inspection. Priority. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop improperly stored in ice bin. Must store scoop handle side up outside ice machine.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as shelving liner throughout facility. Must remove and use smooth and easily cleanable material for storage.

Not enough equipment, or the wrong method, to cool and hold food at safe temperatures.

Inspector’s note: Observed prep cooler at improper ambient air temperature of 57.1f. Instructed manager to call for service. All cold holding units must maintain air temperature of 41f or below. Unit tagged for re-inspection. Priority. 7-38-005. Citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed large bin of rice in rear prep area without label. Instructed manager to label all foods that are not in original container with common name.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop improperly stored in ice bin. Must store scoop handle side up outside ice machine.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cardboard used as shelving liner throughout facility. Must remove and use smooth and easily cleanable material for storage.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violation not corrected from report dated 05/19/2020: #47 observed frozen chicken and beef stored in plastic grocery bags in the walk-in freezer. Management instructed to use proper food grade storage bags and containers only. #53 observed no covered receptacle in the unisex employee toliet room. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation. 7-42-090. No citation issued.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wet wiping cloth laying on the food prep tables throughout the kitchen. Must properly store wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution between use.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the interior of the microwave in the kitchen soiled with food derbis and splash. Instructed to clean.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed frozen chicken and beef stored in plastic grocery bags in the walk-in freezer. Management instructed to use proper food grade storage bags and containers only.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed an excessive amount of debris and ice buildup on the interior of the smoothie chest freezer. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in the unisex employee toliet room. Instructed to provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 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.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed excess clutter and unnecessary articles stored in the unisex employee toliet room. Must remove all unnecessary articles, clean all clutter, organize, and maintain areas at all times.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed water stained ceiling tiles in the rear near the back exit door. Instructed to replace the stained ceiling tiles.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Observed no thermometer in the prep cooler unit. Instructed to provide and maintain thermometers in all cold holding units.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no labels for bulk sugar, salt, and flour storage containers stored on the shelving unit near the rear exit. Instructed person in charge all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with contents name.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed female and male employee in the food prep area with no hair restraints. Instructed that all food handlers in the food prep area must wear hair restraints.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wet wiping cloths laying near the wok. Instructed to store all wet wiping cloths in a properly sanitized concentrated container when in between uses.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed the interior and exterior of the microwave not clean. Instructed to clean and maintain at all times.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed an excessive amount of debris and ice buildup in the interior of the chest freezer. Must remove excess ice, detail clean, and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the hand sink in the rear to have a slow drain. Instructed to repair and maintain the plumbing of the hand sink.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed no covered receptacle in the unisex employee restroom. Instructed to provide a covered receptacle in the unisex employee restroom.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed excess clutter and unnecessary articles stored inside the unisex employee restroom. Must remove all unnecessary articles, clean all clutter, organize, and maintain areas at all time.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the vents on the ceiling the food prep area to have dust accumulation. Instructed to clean and maintain the fans on the ceiling above the food prep area.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed the floors throughout the kitchen to be soiled with food debris and food splash. Instructed to clean and maintain the floors in the kitchen.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed wiping clothes laying on the prep table and counter tops. Instructed manager to store wiping clothes in sanitation solution when not in use.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Must clean the interior of the reach in coolers to remove spills and debris. Also clean all prep tables,exterior of dry storage container and counter tops. Must change out spice container due to food build up.

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

Inspector’s note: Must clean and sanitize the fixture and the toilet in the washroom.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Floors need detail cleaning through to remove spills, grease and debris.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed manager to remove and/or organize the clutter around the mop sink and chemical storage area.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Instructed manager to clean the filter and hood above the cooking equipment to remove grease,debris and dust.

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

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

* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers

Inspector’s note: Inspection report summary from 7/25/17 was not posted on the premises. Management was given a copy of today's inspection report summary and was instructed to post it in view of all customers. Serious violation 7-42-010b.

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

Inspector’s note: Previous minor violations #32, #34 and #35 were not corrected from report #2071409 on 7/25/17: 32 - noted food stored in plastic bags inside the walk-in freezer. Must provide and maintain food grade storage container for proper food protection. 34 - noted floors dirty behind cooking equipment and underneath the dry goods storage shelving along the wall base and in corners. Must detail clean and maintain. Also noted broken floor tiles in front of the 3 compartment sink. Must repair and maintain smooth and easily cleanable. 35 - noted water stained ceiling tiles in the prep area and dirty vent covers. Must replace and maintain. Serious violation 7-42-090.

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

Inspector’s note: Must label and date all prepared foods and those stored outside of their original container.

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

Inspector’s note: Detail clean the prep tables, food storage containers, top of stove, storage rack near hot water heater.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean the wall behind the 3 compartment sink.

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

Inspector’s note: Repair the water leaks underneath the 3 compartment sink and the 1 compartment sinks.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Must provide a visible thermometer inside of the 2 door prep cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: No valid city of chicago certified manager onsite/duty while potentially hazardous foods are being prepared, handled and served such as chicken, beef, pork and rice. Insrtucted manager to have a certified manager on all shift. Serious citation issued #7-38-012

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

Inspector’s note: Noted food stored in plastic bags inside the walk in freezer. Must provide and mainatain food grade storage container for proper food protection.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted the exterior of bulk storage container dirty and the shelving their stored on dirty. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted floors dirty behind cooking equipment and underneath the dry goods storage shelving along the wall base and in corners. Must detail clean and maintain. Also noted broken floor tiles in front of the 3 compartment sink. Must repair and maintain smooth and easily cleanable.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted water stained ceiling tiles in the prep area and dirty vent covers. Must replace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted food stored in plastic bags inside the walk in freezer. Must provide and mainatain food grade storage container for proper food protection.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted the exterior of bulk storage container dirty and the shelving their stored on dirty. Must clean and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted floors dirty behind cooking equipment and underneath the dry goods storage shelving along the wall base and in corners. Must detail clean and maintain. Also noted broken floor tiles in front of the 3 compartment sink. Must repair and maintain smooth and easily cleanable.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted water stained ceiling tiles in the prep area. Must replace and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide a lid cover for the bulk food container in rear of premises

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

Inspector’s note: Must det ail clean all cooking equipment of old food debris and grease build-u and clean all prep tables throughout prep area ,instructed to clean and maintain equipment

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

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors throughout prep area,along wall base and corners and repair floor drain in the prep area

Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock

Inspector’s note: Observed no chemical test strips on site to test the strength of the sanitizer,when sink is set up for wash,rinse and sanitize,instructed to provide strips,serious violation 7-38-030

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

Inspector’s note: Must provide a lid cover for the bulk food container in rear of premises

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

Inspector’s note: Must det ail clean all cooking equipment of old food debris and grease build-u and clean all prep tables throughout prep area ,instructed to clean and maintain equipment

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

Inspector’s note: Must detail clean floors throughout prep area,along wall base and corners and repair floor drain in the prep area

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

Inspector’s note: Must label and date cooked food items inside the walk-in cooler in prep area

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

Inspector’s note: Must clean all reach-in and prep coolers throughout premises of old food debris and clean bottom compartment of deep fruers,has grease build-up ,instructed to clean and maintain area

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

Inspector’s note: Must clean floors in the rear section of prep area,along wall base and corners

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Must provide thermometers inside prep coolers in prep area

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Must remove clutter from underneath prep tables,to prevent rodent harborage

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

Inspector’s note: Food handlers not wearing hair restraint in prep area,must provide

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

Inspector’s note: Must clean the following: storage shelf next to the exposed handsink, can opener blade at the prep table, interior bottom of fryer and exterior surface of stove and cart located between stove and fryer.

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

Inspector’s note: Clean floor under cooking equipment and replace four missing floor tile by the floor drain in front of the three comp sink.

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

Inspector’s note: The faucet handle for the hot water at the exposed handsink is in poor repair; repair or replace the faucet handle at the exposed handsink.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Instructed that all food handlers that are not city of chicago food service managers must obtain the required idph food handler training certificate. Info on the idph website.

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

Inspector’s note: Label bulk storage containers with the name of the product inside of the container on storage shelves in rear of prep area.