Restaurant Inspections: Rat Poop, Open Poison, 'Sewage Odor' at Augie's

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

Information, which is dated Nov. 28, 2012 through Dec. 10, 2012 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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Seven Ten, 2743 N. Lincoln Ave.

Inspection date: Nov. 28, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Inspectors asked that managers label the contents of foods in bulk storage containers, replace the door gasket on a stand-up cooler, clean coolers and ceiling tiles, fix a broken light shield, repair a leaking sink and clean the drainboard.

Dunkin Donuts, 1982 N. Clybourn Ave.

Inspection date: Nov. 29, 2012
Results: Pass with conditions.
Comments: A sink near the food preparation area of the donut and dessert shop was not working at the time of the inspection, according to the report. The water valves were turned off due to repairs to the company's soft-serve machine, the report says, and another hand sink was available near the sandwich prep area. Exposed "particle board" was also found, which could prevent thorough cleaning, inspectors said. The restaurant fully passed a canvas re-inspection on Dec. 7.

Limelight Catering, 2000 N. Racine Ave.

Inspection date: Nov. 29, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Managers were asked to detail clean the business' ventilation hood and filters, as well as the wire storage racks in the walk-in coolers. They also were told to repaint an area on the wall that had chipped paint on it and repair a leaking drain line under an exposed hand sink in the prep area. 

David's Tea, 924 W. Armitage Ave.

Inspection date: Nov. 29, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Inspectors asked that unnecessary floor drains the basement be sealed. Covers were to be provided for any remaining in-use drains, according to the report. An opening in a wall in the basement also needed sealing, they said.

Annette's Italian Ice, 2009 N. Bissell St.

Inspection date: Nov. 29, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Managers were asked to provide a working fan in the restroom.

7-Eleven, 2710 N. Lincoln Ave. 

Inspection date: Nov. 30, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Inspectors asked that a missing ceiling tile in the store's rear storage area be replaced.

Edzo's Burger Shop, 2218 N. Lincoln Ave. 

Inspection date: Nov. 30, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: A drain line water leak at the ice cream dipper well was in need of repair, according to the report.

Nan's, 2360 N. Lincoln Ave. 

Inspection date: Nov. 30, 2012
Results: Fail.
Comments: Inspectors found a litany of violations at Nan's. They said previous minor corrections from a Jan. 12, 2011 inspection had not been corrected. Food in walk-in coolers needed labeling; cardboard and tin foil was being used a shelving; exposed hand sinks were lacking splash guards; a dirty food cart was on the cooks' line; the floor was in need of grouting and repair; and various items were being stored incorrectly in a stairwell area. Inspectors also said meat was being stored in grocery bags and dead insects were found on the floor in the prep area. The restaurant passed a re-inspection on Dec. 7.

Sweet Cakes, 2454 N. Orchard St.

Inspection date: Dec. 3, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: No comments available.

O'Malley's West, 2249 N. Lincoln Ave.

Inspection date: Dec. 4, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Chipped and peeling paint was found on the ceiling of the prep area and a sink was not draining properly, the report said.

7-Eleven, 2201 N. Lincoln Ave. 

Inspection date: Dec. 4, 2012
Results: Pass with conditions.
Comments: Inspectors said the cooler was being used to store potentially hazardous foods including tomatoes and taquitos. Managers willingly discarded $130 worth of food. Several areas were identified for cleaning and a faucet was in need of repair. The store passed a re-inspection on Dec. 7.

Simply It, 2269 N. Lincoln Ave. 

Inspection date: Dec. 4, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Managers were asked to label and date all prepared foods stored int eh coolers, defrost and maintain the interior of the freezers, use food grade storage bags rather than plastic grocery bags to store meats, clean the fan guard on the walk-in cooler, clean the floor in the prep area and clean the wall behind the mop sink.

Hanabi Japanese Restaurant, 806 W. Webster Ave. 

Inspection date: Dec. 4, 2012
Results: Fail.
Comments: A log book proving employees were practicing responsible rodent and insect proofing was not being kept, inspectors said. They also noted that previous minor violations from Sept. 29, 2011 had not been corrected. Inspectors identified several areas for cleaning, including floors that were "dirty with grease".  

Augie's, 1721 W. Wrightwood Ave. 

Inspection date: Dec. 5, 2012
Results: Fail.
Comments: A log book proving employees were practicing responsible rodent and insect proofing was not being kept, inspectors said. They found about 50 rat droppings on the floor of the prep area under the compartment sink and cooler, the report said. They were also inside cabinets behind the bar, behind the pizza station cooler and on the floor and shelves in the basement. Inspectors also found about 20 live fruit flies on the walls of the restrooms and in the prep area behind the bar.

A "slimy substance" was found inside the ice machine. Several other infractions were also found including the improper storage of toxic items, such as containers of rat poison, which were open and placed under the kitchen prep cooler and in the corner of the prep area. Ice in the bar area that was being used to cool liquor bottles was also being served to customers, inspectors said. They also noted a "strong sewage odor in the basement," though a source was not identified. Repairs were needed. 

Augie's passed a canvas re-inspection on Dec. 12.

Barn and Company, 950 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Inspection date: Dec. 5, 2012
Results: Pass with conditions.
Comments: Several foods, including pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken wings, pork shoulder and cheese sauce, among others, were reportedly being stored at improper temperatures. Management voluntarily discarded $402 worth of food. A slimy substance was found on the inside of the ice machine. Several areas were identified for cleaning, according to the report.

Michael Diversey's, 670 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Dec. 6, 2012
Results: Pass with conditions.
Comments: Several foods, including chicken pot pie filling and tomato basil soup, among others, were reportedly being stored at improper temperatures. Management voluntarily discarded $200 worth of food. A slimy substance was found on the inside of the ice machine. Several areas were identified for cleaning, according to the report. Inspectors said food debris and dust needed to be removed from the walls in the food prep area.

Starbuck's Coffee, 1700 W. Diversey Parkway

Inspection date: Dec. 6, 2012
Results: Pass with conditions.
Comments: A certified food manager was not present while "potentially hazardous foods (sandwiches)" were being served, the report says. The city's inspection report was not visible to customers, as is required. Inspectors asked employees to store all stock boxes off the floor.

Galbee City, 2437 N. Clark St.

Inspection date: Dec. 6, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Various cleaning was needed, including to the ventilation hoods and filters adjacent to the food prep coolers. 

Four Shadows, 2758 N. Ashland Ave.

Inspection date: Dec. 7, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: The floor behind the bar needed cleaning. So, too, did the wire storage racks lining the walls of the prep area, according to the report.

Balena, 1633 N. Halsted St.

Inspection date: Dec. 7, 2012
Results: Pass.
Comments: Balena passed a re-inspection. Previous minor violations were corrected, according to the report. Employees were asked to replace the stained cutting board at the prep station.

Tavish, 1335 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Inspection date: Dec. 10, 2012
Results: Pass with conditions.
Comments: The inspection report summary was not posted in the establishment, inspectors said. Managers were asked to post it in view of all customers. Door seals must be installed around the inside doors to the prep cooler, inspectors said and a broken floor tile was in need of replacement. Managers were also asked to clean grease on walls in the prep area, provide additional lighting in the prep area and make repairs in the men's and women's bathrooms. Inspectors said waste water was backing up from one of the restaurant's compartment sinks. Managers called a plumber, who arrived during the inspection to repair the clogged drain. Managers also discarded $73 worth of food that was reportedly being stored an unsafe temperatures.

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