‘Too Many Rodent Droppings to Count’ at Bucktown Pizzeria

Patch examined inspection reports in Bucktown and Wicker Park during February. 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.

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Flash Taco and Underdogg, 1570 N. Damen Ave.
Inspection date: Feb. 13
Results: Pass
Violations: This visit was the result of a complaint. The inspector found dirty floors along the wall base and missing tile in some areas. Management needs to provide thermometers inside all coolers and raise all items at least 6 inches off the floor.

The exterior of the cooking equipment, interior panel of the ice machine, sinks, utensils, exhaust and filters all need to be cleaned.

The Art of Chicken, 2041 N. Western Ave
Inspection date: Feb. 15
Results: Pass
Violations: Visible thermometers need to be inside each cooler and all items need to be stored at least 6 inches off the floor.

Congress Pizza, 2033 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Inspection date: Feb. 19
Results: Fail
Violations: This visit was the result of a complaint. The inspector found too many rodent droppings to count (400-plus), on the food prep areas, shelving, near cardboard pizza boards, on electrical outlets, near the prep cooler, dry storage food, inside the walk-in cooler, beneath the dish machine, on piles, and several other areas. A dead mouse was found in the second floor dry storage room. The east delivery room and cooler were not rodent-proofed. A pest control service is needed and all affected areas must be sanitized. 

Foods were not protected or labeled during storage. The inspector saw a pan of water that was dripping on shelves where food was stored. Uncovered pans of mozzarella cheese were also found and $300 worth of cheese was discarded. All cooking equipment, vents, coolers and floors need to be detail cleaned and a water leak in the dish machine needs to be fixed.

Unnecessary articles throughout the restaurant need to be removed or stored 6 inches off the floor. Rusty shelving inside the walk-in cooler needs to be replaced along with cutting boards with deep cuts. Management must provide thermometers inside all the coolers.

Takito Kitchen, 2013 W. Division St.
Inspection date: Feb. 19
Results: Fail
Violations: Adequate refrigeration was not provided for the restaurant. Management needs to provide additional refrigeration for the extensive food menu and install a shield around both sides of the hand sink.