'Black and Red Slimy Substance' Found at Local Asian Restaurant

Patch examined inspection reports in Bucktown and Wicker Park during April and May. Information has been compiled using publicly available data published to the website of the Chicago Department of Public Health's Food Protection Program.

Restaurants can pass, pass with conditions or fail using a standardized procedure. Establishments that pass don't have any critical or serious violations. Those that receive 'pass with conditions' had serious violations, but the violations were corrected during the inspection.

Failed establishments had serious violations that weren't correctable during the inspection. A fail rating does not mean the business's license is automatically suspended.

All inspections are done on a routine canvass, unless otherwise noted.

Get more local stories like these by joining Patch. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

The Goddess and the Grocer, 1614 N. Damen Ave.
Inspection date: May 6
Results: Pass with conditions
Violations: The grocery store didn’t have a certified food manager on duty while employees were preparing potentially hazardous foods. Because of this, the inspector issued a serious citation.

Stored foods need to be labeled with where the product is made, weight and a use-by date. Neither dirty towels nor plates at the front counter were stored correctly to prevent contamination and floors need a detail cleaning throughout the store.

The inspector also found black smudges along the walls and broken bricks, which need to be repaired.

The Southern Food Truck, 1840 W. North Ave.
Inspection date: May 8
Results: Pass
Violations: Management needs to install the license number in 3-inch lettering on both sides of the truck and provide specifications for the tubing used to wash hands.

Flash Taco, 1570 N. Damen Ave.
Inspection date: May 8, May 14
Results: Fail, Pass
Violations: After failing its first inspection, Flash Taco still did not seal all openings and surfaces or install a screen over the window in the front prep area. Raw wood was also exposed on the interior door.

All cooking equipment and floors still need to be detail cleaned. Management must to store articles in basement at least 6 inches off the ground and install shatter-proof light bulbs.

Red Mango, 1513 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Inspection date: May 8
Results: Pass
No violations reported

Belly Shack, 1912 N. Western Ave.
Inspection date: May 13
Results: Pass with conditions
Violations: After a complaint, the inspector observed a “black and red slimy substance” on the interior components of the ice machine. Management was required to turn off the machine for cleaning, earning a serious violation.

The restaurant’s floors, vent covers, shelving and piping all require a detail cleaning. The inspector also found rusty shelving and broken filters that need to be repaired.

Wendy’s, 1623 W. Division St.
Inspection date: May 13
Results: Fail
Violations: Management needs to rodent-proof the outside dumpster and repair its lid to prevent rodent entry—that earned a serious citation.  

All filters, cooking equipment, floors and ventilation need to be detail cleaned along with repairs for the rear exhaust hood. The inspector also caught the manager in the food prep area not wearing a hair restraint.