Starbucks, Caribou Coffee Fail Food Inspections

Patch examined some of this November's food inspection reports from Lake View, and found that five restaurants in the neighborhood have failed inspections since Nov. 15. This information has been collected from publicly available data published by the Chicago Department of Public Health's Food Protection Program. The data is available here.

To fail and inspection, the establishment had to have serious violations that weren't correctable during the inspection. A failed rating does not mean that the restaurant's license is automatically suspended.  

The Hallmark, 2960 N Lake Shore Dr. 

Inspection Date: Nov. 15
Results: Fail
Inspection Type: Short Form Complaint/License 
Comments: Floor under soda fountain system must be cleaned; damaged grout in tiled areas throughout dish and kitchen areas must be repaired/replaced; no certified food manager with a City of Chicago Food sanitation Certificate was around while potentially hazardous food (salads, pastas, hamburgers, tuna, fish, etc.) was being prepared. Approximately 40 live fruit flies were observed on the walls, ceiling and equipment in the kitchen and dishwashing area. The rear overhead door from the loading dock and the front entrance are not rodent-proofed. Backflow prevention devices are needed for the ice machine; must provide hair restraints for all food handlers. 

7-Eleven, 1153 W. Belmont Ave.

Inspection Date: Nov. 19
Results: Fail
Inspection Type: Canvass
Comments: There's no evidence of the front double entrance doors being rodent-proofed. There's an approximately 1/4' mode of entry at the bottom center (which is considered a serious violation). A visible thermometer is needed in the walk in cooler; fan covers and shelvings inside the walk-in-cooler must be cleaned; a faucet is leaking and must be repaired. Fan covers above the grocery display area and in the restroom are dusty and must be cleaned. 
Note: 7-Eleven passed a re-inspection on Dec. 2. 

Kick Stand, 824 W. Belmont Ave. 

Inspection Date: Nov. 19
Results: Fail
Inspection Type: Canvass
Comments: A certified food manager is needed on site when potentially hazardous foods are being prepared and served; dust accumulations on the vents inside the restroom must be cleaned; visible backflow prevention device needed for the espresso machine and ice maker. Raw wooden surfaces near the sink must be sealed using a non-toxic finish; floors along walls require a detail cleaning; upper panel of the ice maker must be cleaned. There's no evidence that outer openings are rodent proofed — there's an approximately 1/4' mode of entry near doorway. (This is considered a serious violation.)
Note: Kick Stand passed a re-inspection on Dec. 2

Starbucks Coffee, 3184 N. Clark St. 

Inspection Date: Nov. 19
Results: Fail
Inspection Type: Canvass
Comments: Waste water was observed backing up in a compartment sink when the water was filled and released, backing up into the left and right compartment of the sink. There's no evidence of outer openings rodent/insect proofed. Thirty live fruit flies were observed in the food prep area and on walls/ceilings near the customer restroom. Floors along wall require a deep cleaning. Broken base board tiles found; water leak found at base of faucet in sink. Dust accumulations on the vent cover inside the customer restroom must be cleaned. Ice dispensing utensil must be replaced, and upper panel of rear ice maker must be cleaned. 
Note: Starbucks passed a re-inspection on Dec. 2. 

Caribou Coffee, 3500 N. Halsted

Inspection Date: Nov. 21
Results: Fail
Inspection Type: Short Form Complaint
Comments: Human feces was found on the floor of the customer men's restroom. The restroom is not operable at this time. Manager was instructed to repair restroom and sanitize all affected areas. Customers and employees are using the women's restroom during the inspection. 
Note: Caribou Passed a re-inspection on Dec. 2.