Dirty Ice Machine at Nhu Lan Bakery: Health Inspections

Patch examined inspection reports in Lincoln Square over the month of November. 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 vocations. 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.

Let Patch save you time. Get more local stories like these delivered right to your inbox or smartphone with our free newsletter. Fast signup here and follow us on Facebook!

Urban Interests, 2124 W. Lawrence Ave.
Inspection date: Nov. 29
Results: Pass with Conditions
Violations: The dish machine was not dispensing sanitizer and the employee washroom was not properly designed or installed—it must be completely enclosed with a self-closing door and hot and cold running water. All pots and pans need to be stored inverted and upside down. All cooking equipment, coolers, shelving/counters, deep fryers, dishes and utensils must be cleaned. Management must seal all of the gaps inbetween the walls and ceiling and around the pipes in the prep area basement. A ventilation hood must be installed over the broiler.

Club 100, 1728 W. Lawrence Ave.
Inspection date: Nov. 26
Results: Pass
Violations: The business passed after failing an inspection on Nov. 20. There was no running hot water on the premises and the washroom doors were not self-closing.

Nhu Lan Bakery, 2612 W. Lawrence Ave.
Inspection date: Nov. 21
Results: Pass
Violations: The business passed after failing an inspection on Nov. 14. It failed after the following items were found to be "not clean": interior surfaces of ice machine, cooler gaskets, cooking equipment, shelving/racks. Additionally, broken and missing floor tiles were found throughout the premises, and the floor in general needs to be cleaned of grease, litter and debris.

The bakery also needs to replace stained ceiling tiles, clean all dirt and/or dust from all wall and ceiling vent covers, replace broken light shields and install a visible backflow prevention device on hose bibs or water supply line to ice machine.

Finally, the mop sink was found to be inaccessible, supplies were piled up in the sink, and the walk-in cooler and freezer were overstocked.

Shelly’s Freeze, 5119 N. Lincoln Ave
Inspection date: Nov. 20
Results: Pass with Conditions
Violations: The inspector found potentially hazardous food at improper temperature inside the prep cooler. Chicken, Italian beef, hamburger and chopped tomatoes were between 48 and 50 degrees. The manager disposed of the products, totaling $50 and 6 pounds. Employees were washing their hands in the three-compartment sink rather than the hand sink. Management must defrost the two chest freezers with heavily accumulated ice.

Café Utjeha, Inc, 5350 N. Lincoln Ave.
Inspection date: Nov. 20
Results: Pass with conditions
Violations: No certified manager was on site while serving smoothies and dairy items. Management must defrost the reach-in cooler and freezer and clean the floor and behind the water heater. Broken thermometers in the cooler need to be repaired and all wash cloths need to be stored in a bucket with sanitizing solution. The inspector also found disposable glass being used as an ashtray. The inspector instructed the manager that all ashtrays should be removed so the restaurant doesn’t violate the clean air ordinance.