Elaine's Chop Suey 1

No violations were recorded at this inspection.

1. Mar 27, 2025 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   5 general Show violations

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 40-50 adult cockroaches on glue boards, both dead and alive, beneath the 2-door sliding-door cooler in the main cook line area. Instructed to remove dead and trapped cockroaches, clean and sanitize the affected area(s), and contact licensed pest control service to eliminate cockroach activity on-site. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-020(a) citation issued.

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Single-use items weren’t stored or used properly.

     Inspector’s note: Observed disposable paper towels and mop heads in original packaging stored in the washroom area shelf. Instructed to remove paper towels and mop heads from prohibited areas such as toilet rooms and maintain.

     Official wording (code 45)

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

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed aluminum foil used to line nonfood-contact surfaces of cooking equipment and shelves throughout the main cook line. Instructed to remove aluminum foil and maintain nonfood-contact surfaces smooth and easily-cleanable.

     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 heavy build-up of grease along nonfood-contact surfaces of cooking equipment (deep fryer, wok line). Instructed to clean nonfood-contact surfaces of cooking equipment at adequate frequency to prevent build up of soil and maintain.

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Observed front prep area handwashing sink cold water supply to be leaking, but functional. Instructed to repair or replace cold water supply at front prep area handwashing sink to eliminate leak and maintain all plumbing fixtures in good repair.

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

2. Apr 26, 2024 Pass

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Pass

   No violations

3. Apr 23, 2024 Fail

   Canvass Re-Inspection · Fail

   2 critical4 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.14(o) the manager provided no proof of employee health policy on site. Instructed to provide an employee health policy that includes a signed acknowledgement from each employee. Priority foundation. 7.38.010. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: 3-501.17 observed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety (tcs) foods in walk-in cooler and freezer(chicken) not date marked to indicate the product's name and date in which the food must be sold, discarded or consumed within 7 days. Instructed to provide proper labels for date marking and discard date for refrigerated, ready-to-eat, tcs foods held over 24hrs placed in all cold-holding units. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.111 observed pest infestation. Noted over 1000 mice dropping on shelves and floors in dry storage area, kitchen are under 3 compartments sink and behind the equipment, in the front prep area and behind a drink cooler in front prep area, dining area and on the floors, on the shelving and the floor behind the shelving in the back hallway. Instructed to clean and sanitize affected areas. Recommended to consult with pest control company to eliminate the pest activity.priority foundation #7-38-020(a), citation issued

     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: 4-101.19 carboard observed on the floor of freezer. Instructed to remove cardboard from the floor and maintain.

     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: 4-204.18 noted ice build-up inside the walk-in freezer on the floor and shelves. Instructed to repair and maintain the condensation units.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: 8-404.13(b:4)previous violations from 03/15/2023, report #2572621, observed not to be corrected as follows: #41 wiping cloths improperly stored. Instd to store in sanitizing solution when not in use. #58 missing allergen training for the city of chicago certified manager. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification. #57 employees missing food handlers training. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on-site priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

4. Apr 16, 2024 Fail

   Canvass · Fail

   4 critical6 general Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: The manager provided no proof of employee health policy on site. Instructed to provide an employee health policy that includes a signed acknowledgement from each employee. Priority foundation. 7.38.010. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Noted no hot running water at employee bathrooms handwashing sinks: the temperature of the water was 80.0 f. Priority violation 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Noted internal temperatures of the following time/temperature control for safety food items inside the food display cooler to be improper: eggs at 53.0 f, chicken at 49. F, oil garlic at 61.3 f, small shrimps at 47.0 f, and egg wash at 55.4 f. Manager immediately and voluntarily disposed of 25 lbs of products worth $250.0 through denaturing process. Priority violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Prepared food wasn’t date-marked, or was kept past its discard date.

     Inspector’s note: Observed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety (tcs) foods in walk-in cooler and freezer(chicken) not date marked to indicate the product's name and date in which the food must be sold, discarded or consumed within 7 days. Instructed to provide proper labels for date marking and discard date for refrigerated, ready-to-eat, tcs foods held over 24hrs placed in all cold-holding units. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 23)

     Proper date marking and disposition

   • GeneralFood temperature

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

     Inspector’s note: 4-301.11 observed improper temperature of refrigerator at 69.9f with tcs foods stored inside for sale. A held-for-inspection tag has been placed on the unit. Once repaired, fax or email to cdph.must have cold-holding foods at 41.0f or below. Priority 7-38-005. Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 33)

     Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed pest infestation. Noted over 1000 mice dropping on shelves and floors in dry storage area, kitchen are under 3 compartments sink and behind the equipment, in the front prep area and behind a drink cooler in front prep area, dining area and on the floors, on the shelving and the floor behind the shelving in the back hallway. Instructed to clean and sanitize affected areas. Recommended to consult with pest control company to eliminate the pest activity.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 a 1/2" gap at the bottom of the rear exit door. Must provide a tight-fitting seal at all outer openings and close the hole to prevent pests ' entry.

     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: Carboard observed on the floor of freezer. Instructed to remove cardboard from the floor and maintain.

     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: Noted ice build-up inside the walk-in freezer on the floor and shelves. Instructed to repair and maintain the condensation units.

     Official wording (code 47)

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

   • GeneralRepeat violation

     A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

     Inspector’s note: Previous violations from 03/15/2023, report #2572621, observed not to be corrected as follows: #41 wiping cloths improperly stored. Instd to store in sanitizing solution when not in use. #55 floor throughout premises under and behind equipment and wok station line not clean, excessive food debris, grease accumulation, etc. Instd to clean and maintain same. Floor drains throughout the premises are not clean, and there is excessive debris. Instd to clean and maintain same #58 missing allergen training for the city of chicago certified manager. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification. #57 employees missing food handlers training. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on-site priority foundation violation 7-42-090 citation issued

     Official wording (code 60)

     Previous core violation corrected

5. Mar 15, 2023 Pass

   License Re-Inspection · Pass

   1 critical4 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: 4-602.11(b-e) interior panel of ice machine, and all multi use utensils stored above 3-compartment sink not clean, food debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain same.

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: 3-304.14 wiping cloths improperly stored. Instd to store in sanitizing solution when not in use.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c) entire wok station, interi0r/exterior of fryers with excessive food debris, grease. Instd to clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: 5-205.15: wok station water line leaking, using bucket to collect water leaking. Instd to repair and maintain same

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: 6-501.12: floor through out premises under and behind equipment and wok station line not clean, excessive food debris, grease accumulation, etc. Instd to clean and maintain same. Floor drains through out premises not clean, excessive debris. Instd to clean and maintain same

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.13: employees missing food handlers training. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: 2-102.13: missing allergen training for city of chicago certified manager. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required

6. Feb 8, 2023 Fail

   License · Fail

   5 critical6 general2 paperwork Show violations

   • CriticalManagement & training

     Staff weren’t trained on, or didn’t follow, the rules for reporting illness.

     Inspector’s note: Observed no employee health policy on site as required; must provide. Instructed the person in charge to provide documentation of employees responsibility to report any illness transmissible through food.priority foundation 7-38-010

     Official wording (code 3)

     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: Observed handsink in prep area and employee restroom not stocked with hand soap. Informed person in charge that hand soap must be available at handsinks at all times. Food handler obtained hand soap for hand sink during time of inspection. Priority foundation violation #7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

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

     Inspector’s note: "observed no paper towels in the washroom at the washbowl sink nor at the hand-sink in the prep area. Informed person in charge that paper towels must be available at hand sinks at all times. Food handler obtained paper towel for hand sink during time of inspection priority foundation violation #7-38-030(c). See above violation."

     Official wording (code 10)

     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

   • CriticalFood handling

     Surfaces that touch food weren’t cleaned and sanitized.

     Inspector’s note: Interior panel of ice machine, and all multi use utensils stored above 3-compartment sink not clean, food debris accumulation. Instd to clean and maintain same

     Official wording (code 16)

     Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

   • CriticalFood temperature

     Cold food was held above a safe temperature.

     Inspector’s note: Observed tcs foods (garlic and oil mixture) held at improper internal temperatures of 70.1f in the front prep area. Manager discarded 1lbs at $10. All cold tcs food must maintain 41f or below. Priority violation. Citation issued 7-38-005.

     Official wording (code 22)

     Proper cold holding temperatures

   • GeneralPests

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

     Inspector’s note: "observed no current pest control log book on the premises. Instructed person in charge that a licensed pest control company and operator must provide at least 2 pest inspections a year and the reports must be maintained in the log book. Instructed to provide a current pest control log book and pest inspection reports. Priority foundation 7-38-020(c). Citation issued."

     Official wording (code 38)

     Insects, rodents, & animals not present

   • GeneralFood handling

     Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

     Inspector’s note: Wiping cloths improperly stored. Instd to store in sanitizing solution when not in use.

     Official wording (code 41)

     Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Entire wok station, interiro/exterior of fryers with excessive food debris, grease. Instd to clean and maintain

     Official wording (code 49)

     Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

     Inspector’s note: Wok station water line leaking, using bucket to collect water leaking. Instd to repair and maintain same

     Official wording (code 51)

     Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Mops improperly stored in bucket. Instd to store properly in a position that allows them to air dry without soiling walls, equipment or supplies.

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • GeneralFacility upkeep

     Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

     Inspector’s note: Floor through out premises under and behind equipment and wok station line not clean, excessive food debris, grease accumulation, etc. Instd to clean and maintain same. Floor drains through out premises not clean, excessive debris. Instd to clean and maintain same

     Official wording (code 55)

     Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Not all food employees had food-handler training.

     Inspector’s note: Employees missing food handlers training. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification on site.

     Official wording (code 57)

     All food employees have food handler training

   • PaperworkManagement & training

     Required allergen training was missing.

     Inspector’s note: Missing allergen training for city of chicago certified manager. Instd to obtain training and maintain verification

     Official wording (code 58)

     Allergen training as required