Restaurant Inspections: Dead Rat, Droppings at Fat Sandwich

Patch examined some of this fall's food inspection reports in Lincoln Park.

Information, which is dated Sept. 26 to Oct. 8, has been compiled using publicly available data published to the website of the Chicago Department of Public Health's Food Protection Program.

Businesses 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 they 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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The Goddess, 2222 N. Elston Ave.

Inspection date: Sept. 26
Results: Fail
Comments: Inspectors said they found several foods being stored at potentially hazardous temperatures including grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, blue cheese and egg salad. Management agreed to discard about $100 worth of food. The report also indicates that there was no evidence of rodent proofing on the "outer openings" of the restaurant and that fruit flies were found in the cafe prep area. Inspectors asked that several coolers and the ice machine be cleaned. Several other infractions are also listed, but the business passed a re-inspection on Oct. 3.

Buffalo Wild Wings, 2464 N. Lincoln Ave.

Inspection date: Sept. 26
Results: Pass
Comments: In a suspected food poisoning re-inspection, officials found clean, dust-free surfaces. They asked that managers repair a leaking sink behind the bar and clean the ceiling tiles and light shields in the food preparation area.

The Grove, 501 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Sept. 26
Results: Pass
Comments: Inspectors said those at the restaurant must label and date prepared foods in the coolers and store StyroFoam takeout containers properly. They also asked that dead insects be cleaned from the floors and walls in the food preparation area.

Lion Head Pub, 2251 N. Lincoln Ave.

Inspection date: Sept. 27
Results: Fail
Comments: Inspectors said they found that salad preparation and produce coolers were not at the mandated temperatures—they were at 48 degrees when they should be at a maximum of 40 degrees. Both were used to store potentially hazardous foods including salad dressings, buttermilk, salsa, eggs, cheese and more, the report says. There was also no evidence of rodent or insect proofing on the business' "outer openings." Fruit flies were found on the walls around the ice machine, in the first-floor preparation area, in multiple bar areas and the second-floor men's washroom. They ordered that the bar hire exterminators to take care of the problem. The business passed a re-inspection on Oct. 4.

Fat Sandwich Company, 2273 N. Lincoln Ave.

Inspection date: Sept. 27
Results: Fail
Comments: Inspectors said they found about 25 rat droppings on the floor in the back storage area. They were also on the baseboards and on top of the freezer. They ordered managers to clean and sanitize affected areas and assign pest control services to the areas. The insides and outsides of the restaurant's microwaves and refrigerators were also in need of cleaning, the report says. Several other infractions were also listed, including food handling employees who were not wearing hair restraints. Although the business passed with conditions on Oct. 4, inspectors said they still found rat droppings that day on the floor and baseboards. "A dead rat was observed behind the refrigerator in the storage area," the report says. A manager cleaned up the droppings and the dead rodent, inspectors said. 

Lou Malnati's, 956 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Inspection date: Sept. 28
Results: Pass with conditions
Comments: Inspectors said creamer, artichoke dip, butter, cheeses, sour cream, meat sauce, salad dressings and many other foods were being stored at improper temperatures. Management voluntarily discarded $860 worth of food. Business owners were also asked to clean the ceiling tiles in the basement food preparation area.

Rosebud, 1419 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Sept. 28
Results: Pass
Comments: Managers were asked to clean the top of fans in the food preparation area and repair a faucet in one of the sinks.

Wendy's, 2312 N. Ashland

Inspection date: Sept. 28
Results: Fail
Comments: Fruit and house flies were found on the walls and equipment in the dining area, in the washrooms and food preparation areas. Additional pest control was needed to rid the restaurant of the bugs. Inspectors also asked that chipped paint on a ventilation hood be repaired and debris be cleaned from the floor of the walk-in freezer. The restaurant passed a re-inspection on Oct. 5.

Los 3 Panchos Taco and Burrito Place, 1155 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Oct. 3
Results: Pass
Comments: Inspectors asked that pre-made and prepackaged food be labeled and that some of the walls be washed.

Paddy Long's, 1028 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Oct. 3
Results: Pass
Comments: Managers were told to repackage frozen meat that was found in grocery bags in the freezers and replace a light shield missing from a ceiling fixture.

Sarpino's, 1149 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Oct. 3
Results: Fail
Comments: No certified food manager was present during the inspection while potentially hazardous food—pizza at 145 degrees—was being prepared and served. There was also no evidence of rodent or insect proofing to the restaurant's outer openings. A manager was unable to find a pest control log book that is required in all food establishments. They asked that the inside of the microwave and ventilation hoods be cleaned and that cardboard be removed from the floor.

Bourgeois Pig Coffee, Tea and Spices, 738 W. Fullerton Parkway

Inspection date: Oct. 4
Results: Fail
Comments: Inspectors said they found food being stored at potentially hazardous temperatures inside the coffee shop. Those foods included sliced turkey, corned beef, chicken breasts, smoked salmon and more. A manager voluntarily discarded $114 worth of food. Ice was not protected during storage inside the ice machine, the report says, and inspectors found a "slimy substance" covering the inside surface of the machine. There was also a 6-inch gap along the bottom of the door, which doesn't comply with rodent proofing mandates. Several other infractions were listed. The next door Bourgeois Pig Cafe passed its inspection on the same day.

Allende Restaurant, 2408 N. Lincoln Ave.

Inspection date: Oct. 4
Results: Pass
Comments: Inspectors asked that the light shields above a front counter be cleaned.

Chipotle, 2000 N. Clybourn Ave.

Inspection date: Oct. 5
Results: Pass with conditions
Comments: Four containers of guacamole in the front line cooler and walk-in cooler were being stored at a potentially hazardous temperature. Managers voluntarily pitched $31 worth of the spread.

Lakeshore Sport & Fitness, 1320 W. Fullerton Ave.

Inspection date: Oct. 5
Results: Pass with conditions
Comments: A manager at the fitness club voluntarily discarded $500 worth of food that inspectors said were being stored at improper temperatures. Soup, chili, salad dressings, fresh-cut melon and chicken breasts were among those items. Inspectors requested some cooler revisions and cleaning to cooking equipment and walls. They also asked that a leak be repaired underneath a sink and that food handling employees wear hair restraints.