Grota Restaurant

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL TRASH INSIDE OF RECEPTACLE WITH LID SHUT TIGHT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(b). CITATION ISSUED.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.11-observed missing baseboards along wall located across from ice machine in kitchen. Must repair.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from 5-6-2025, report #2616934. #58-observed no proof of allergen training for all certified food managers. Instructed any persons with the city of chicago food sanitation certificate to comply with completion of training and maintain documentation on site at all times. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH PREVENTING LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL TRASH INSIDE OF RECEPTACLE WITH LID SHUT TIGHT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(b). CITATION ISSUED.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing baseboards along wall located across from ice machine in kitchen. Must repair.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation not corrected from 5-6-2025, report #2616934. #58-observed no proof of allergen training for all certified food managers. Instructed any persons with the city of chicago food sanitation certificate to comply with completion of training and maintain documentation on site at all times. Priority foundation violation. 7-42-090. Citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Noted food storage racks in walk-in cooler with mold an food debris. Instructed remove and deep clean/sanitize.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed cracked floor tile in front of dish machine. Must repair.

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

Inspector’s note: 6-501.111--we continue to observe evidence of pest activity aprrox 30-40 mice droppings in access panel in front of bar and in cluttered storage room located across from main bar also,in the cluttered side small bar on floor and inside cabinets. Instructed to remove mice dropping and detail clean and sanitize affected areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a).

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

Inspector’s note: 4-501.12--observed cutting boards in the prep area in poor condition. Instructed to replace.

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

Inspector’s note: 4-501.11--observed damaged gaskets inside of two door reach-in cooler in the kitchen prep area. Instructed to repair and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: 5-205.15--observed a water leak at drain pipe underneath the handwashing sink at the end of cook line. Instructed to repair and maintain.additional water leaks noted at this time from overhead pipes from basement ceiling and inside the front water meter room and maintain. Must repair all leaks, dry and maintain floors.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.114--observed unused refrigeration stored outside in the back of premises and multiple boxes of to-go containers. Must remove refrigeration and all other items from outside rear of premises.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.114--observed cluttered conditions in basement storage areas & utility mop sink area. Instructed to detail clean and re-organize mentioned areas and remove unnecessary articles and unused equipments due to potential pest harborage.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: 8-404.13(b:4)--observed previous core violation not corrected. See report #2560585 dated 7/12/2022 violation #51 found no backflow prevention device at ice machine waterline.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed aprrox 50 mice droppings in access panel in front of bar and in cluttered storage room located across from main bar. Instructed to remove mice dropping and detail clean and sanitize affected areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a), citation issued.

In-use utensils weren’t stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice scoop stored on top of ice machine. Instructed to store ice scoop on a clean surface.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed cutting boards in the prep area in poor condition. Instructed to replace.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed damaged gaskets inside of two door reach-in cooler in the kitchen prep area. Instructed to repair and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed old left-over food debris on the can opener in the food prep area. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed a water leak at drain pipe underneath the handwashing sink at the end of cook line. Instructed to repair and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed wet mop stored in bucket in the utility area. Instructed to hang mops when not in use to allow to dry.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing ceiling tiles in the storage room next to main bar and broken floor tiles in in kitchen entry way next to two door cooler. Instructed to provide.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed unused refrigeration stored outside in the back of premises. Must remove refrigeration from premises if not in use.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Observed previous core violations not corrected. See report #2560585 dated 7/12/2022 violation #57 food handlers without food handler training certificate. Instructed that any food handlers obtain food handler training.violation #58 no allergen awareness training on site. Instructed that every certified food manager certificate holder must obtain allergen awareness training. Violation #51 found no backflow prevention devices at ice machine waterline. Must provide where they can be located and serviced. Violation #51 found hand sink not fastened properly at bar at smaller banquet room. Must repair. Violation #53 found trash cans not covered in the women restroom. Must provide. Priority foundation violation,7-42-090, citation issued.

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

Inspector’s note: Found bulk food with no labels.(flour, rice,etc.)must provide.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Found no backflow prevention devices at ice machine waterline. Must provide where they can be located and serviced.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Found hand sink not fastened properly at bar at smaller banquet room. Must repair.

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

Inspector’s note: Found trash cans not covered in the women restroom. Must provide.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to properly label food containers/bins identified with common name (flour, salt, sugar etc)

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to repair slow draining handsink in prep/dishwashing area.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to remove peeling paint on around vent above prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Observed latch at walk-in cooler door loose .instructed management to repair door latch. Core violation

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed ceiling tile stained above dish machine at food prep area.instructed management to replace stained ceiling tile above dish machine at food prep area. Core violation

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed missing floor tiles at front door of walk-in cooler.instructed management to replace floor tiles. Core violation

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

Inspector’s note: Found evidence of mice droppings along the wall base all corner in the dancing area 6 total, coat room 8 total, basement behind the water heater 10 total, behind the round small table 8 total, beside the shelve in the coffee station 8 total, beside the dish machine in the main bar 10 total, approximately 50 total in all. Instructed to clean, remove the mice droppings, sanitize the affected areas and inform the pest control technician. Have additional inspection by the pest control technician. Serious violation 7-38-020.

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

Inspector’s note: Label and date all food containers with ready to eat potentially hazardous foods inside the walk in cooler and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Damaged,stained ceiling tiles in the coffee station/office and inside the coat room. Must replace and maintain. Ceiling vent cover inside the men's washroom with dust accumulated. Must clean,remove dust and maintain.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Provide missing thermometer inside the small reach in cooler behind the small bar and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: No splash guard at front bar area, instructed to provide,

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

Inspector’s note: Continued non compliance on previous order issued, dated 05/24/2016, report #1931532, violation listed below: 38 instructed to install exposed hand sink with hot and cold running water under city pressure behind each (2) bar, equipped with hand soap and paper towel. See violation #14,

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

Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed reorganize basement storage area. Usable items must be stored 6" away from wall, to prevent a rodent harborage,

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

Inspector’s note: Continued non compliance on previous order issued, dated 05/20/2015, report #1546248, violation listed below: 38 instructed to install exposed hand sink with hot and cold running water under city pressure behind each (2) bar, equipped with hand soap and paper towel. 41 instructed reorganize basement storage area. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning. 45 found no food handler training certificates on premise. Instructed to provide. Information provided. Serious citation: 7-42-090

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

Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed reorganize basement storage area. Usable items must be stored 6" away from wall, to prevent a rodent harborage,

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain interior and exterior surfaces of soda gun holder with pinkish mold like build up behind bars.--------must clean and maintain storage shelves inside walk-in cooler.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain floors throughout prep/cooking area along the walls and in all corners including floors behind 2 bar and in basement.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to install exposed hand sink with hot and cold running water under city pressure behind each (2) bar, equipped with hand soap and paper towel.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed reorganize basement storage area. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Found no food handler training certificates on premise. Instructed to provide. Information provided.

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

Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler shelving/racks that had peeling paint/rust, shall be repaired/replaced. Reach in cooler shelving that had peeling paint, shall be repaired/replaced.

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

Inspector’s note: Non food contact surfaces of walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices), kitchen storage shelving not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).

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

Inspector’s note: Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).Floor in walk in cooler under shelving not clean, need detailed cleaning(crevices).

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

Inspector’s note: Damaged/stained ceiling tiles in rear kitchen areas, shall be repaired/replaced.

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

Inspector’s note: Bulk dry food containers in kitchen not labeled.Instructed to label all foods not in original containers.

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Large pots and pans not properly stored.Instructed to properly store,invert to prevent contamination before use.

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

Inspector’s note: Cutting boards with deep, dark grooves must be sanded/bleached or replaced and provide and maintain ice bin covers for ice bins at bars.

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

Inspector’s note: Can opener attached to food prep table,hood/filters above cooking equipments and sides of hot cooking equipments,fan covers inside the walk-in-cooler,bar guns and housing attached are not cleaned.Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.

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

Inspector’s note: Ceiling vent in kitchen and inside the toilet rooms are dusty.Instructed to remove and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Must Repair non-working lights in the kitchen areas and maintain.

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

Inspector’s note: Additional cleaning and reorganizing of basement storage area and remove unnecessary articles due to potential pest harborage. Items kept must be properly stored to 6" off floor/wall for easier cleaning.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Ice dispensing utensil for ice machine must be properly stored and inverted to prevent contamination before use.

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

Inspector’s note: Found food items not properly dated/labeled in walk in cooler, reach in cooler, and reach in freezer, must date and label food items in walk in cooler, reach in cooler, reach in freezer.

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

Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler shelving that had peeling paint/rust in walk in cooler, shall be repaired/replaced.

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

Inspector’s note: Non food contact surfaces of walk in cooler shelving/racks not clean, need detailed cleaning, kitchen shelving, prep table lower shelving need cleaning(crevices).

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

Inspector’s note: Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners). Floors in bar areas, and in bsmt storage areas need cleaning(corners).

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

Inspector’s note: Light shields in kitchen prep areas not clean, need detailed cleaning.

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

Inspector’s note: Exhaust vents(ventilation) in walk in cooler, kitchen areas need cleaning.

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

Inspector’s note: Additional cleaning and reorganizing of basement storage area. Usable items must be stored 6" off the floor for easy access on cleaning.

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

Inspector’s note: Found over 20 mice droppings behind bar (restaurant room) and some in prep area behind reach-in cooler under storage racks along the walls, also found 5 live house flies in food prep area and over 10 live small flies behind main bar. Instructed to remove, clean and sanitize the affected areas. Recommend to call licensed pest control for service. Serious citation issued 7-38-020

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

Inspector’s note: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED ISSUED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #557341 ON 05-18-2011. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-42-090 #33 - Bulk storage container not labeled. Instructed to label all foods not in original containers. #33 - Exhaust hood, filters, interior panel of ice machine not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize. #34 - Floor under equipment in prep area and in basement not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily. #35 - Wall behind three compartment sink not maintained. Instructed to seal opening in wall. Tile coving missing in corner behind freezer. Instructed to replace missing tile. #36 - Light bulbs in prep area not shielded. Instructed to install shields with end caps. #38 - Faucet not maintained at three compartment sink. Instructed to repair faucet or replace washer. #41 - Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to remove all unused articles an

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide tight fitting lid/cover for all ice bin behind 3 bars.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to detail clean and maintain the following: interior and exterior surface's of cooking equipment (stove/oven/steam table etc), interior surfaces 3 compartment bar sink behind 2 bars, soda gun holder behind 3 bars, storage racks inside walk-in cooler, storage racks in food prep area with grease and dust build-up, exterior surfaces of cooler and walk-in cooler with dried food debris accumulation, prep shelves in prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to repair or replace missing floor tiles inside walk-in cooler (by door).

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

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean and maintain ceiling vent cover above rear food prep area and inside men's toilet room with heavy dust build-up.------- instructed to remove peeling paint on ceiling above dish machine in rear prep area.

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

Inspector’s note: Must remove soda gun drain line draining into one compartment of the 3 compartment bar sink behind main bar.

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector’s note: Instructed to provide thermometer visible inside coolers.

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

Inspector’s note: Bulk storage container not labeled. Instructed to label all foods not in original containers.

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

Inspector’s note: Exhaust hood, filters, interior panel of ice machine not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.

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

Inspector’s note: Floor under equipment in prep area and in basement not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.

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

Inspector’s note: Wall behind three compartment sink not maintained. Instructed to seal opening in wall. Tile coving missing in corner behind freezer. Instructed to replace missing tile.

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

Inspector’s note: Light bulbs in prep area not shielded. Instructed to install shields with end caps.

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

Inspector’s note: Faucet not maintained at three compartment sink. Instructed to repair faucet or replace washer.

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

Inspector’s note: Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to remove all unused articles and elevate supplies 6 inches off floor or higher and away from wall.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Ice scoop not properly stored. Instructed to store in sanitize holder or container.

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

Inspector’s note: Can opener unclean,must detail clean and maintain;worn out wooden shelf in prep area must be replaced can opener has been cleaned; worn out wooden shelf in prep area must be replaced-next regular inspection

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

Inspector’s note: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT # 165169,DATED 04-09-09,VIOLATIONS AS FOLLOWS #33 RACKS/SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLER RUSTY, MUST BE REPLACED;#35 CEILING TILES IN WALK IN COOLER DIRTY,MUST BE CLEAN AND MAINTAIN;#36 BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN WALK IN COOLER MUST BE REPLACED; CITATION ISSUED,GIVEN 5 DAYS 03-16-10 TO CORRECT THE VIOLATIONS

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

Inspector’s note: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. FOODS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER MUST BE PROPERLY LABELLED AND DATED

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

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. FAUCETS IN 1 HAND SINK IN PREP AREA GREASY,UNCLEAN,MUST BE CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

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

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. CAN OPENER UNCLEAN,MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN;WORN OUT WOODEN SHELF IN PREP AREA MUST BE REPLACED

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

Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. DOOR IN BASEMENT MUST BE SEALED,ADDITIONAL RUBBER OR METAL STRIP MUST BE INSTALLED