UPDATED: Elizabeth Restaurant, McDonald's Fail Health Inspections

Patch examined inspection reports in Lincoln Square over the month of December. 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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Elizabeth Restaurant, 4835 N. Western Ave.
Inspection date: Jan. 18
Results: Fail
Violations: This visit was the result of a complaint. The inspector noted inadequate food and utensil protection and no separation or protective barrier between the kitchen prep area and the customer areas, such as the entrance to the washroom. Since the restaurant has a liquor consumption license, it is required that men and women have access to toilet facilities with a barrier and protection between areas. A serious citation was issued.

Some prep foods inside the storage coolers and chest freezers were not labeled with a date. The inspector also found dirty floors under the shelving units at the rear storage room and food handlers were not wearing hair restraints.

Updated: In a follow-up inspection Jan. 25, Elizabeth corrected all violations, adding plexi-glass between the kitchen prep area and customers. All foods were labeled, floors cleaned and hair restrained. 

Marty’s Liquor, 1511 W. Balmoral Ave.
Inspection date: Jan 11
Results: Pass
Violations: Management must provide a drip cup and drain tube for the bar gun and seal the gap under the bar counter between the walls. The inspector found small holes in the floor and wall in the basement, which must be sealed.

McDonald’s, 3154 W. Foster Ave.
Inspection date: Jan. 23
Results: Fail
Violations:  This visit was the result of a complaint. The inspector saw an employee washing multiple utensils in a sink with no sanitizer, and the containers for cleaning towels had excess sanitizer. A critical citation was issued.

Management must replace broken plastic curtains in the walk-in cooler and seal the raw wood shelves inside the small storage room near the kitchen. Sealant and repairs need to be done in the small closet, rear storage room and ceiling panels. The inspector noted “excessive clutter” throughout closets and the rear storage area. Items must be clean and organized to prevent pest harborage and stored at least 6 inches off the floors. A serious citation was issued.

Food debris and grease build-up was found on equipment; management needs to clean and sanitize fryers, freezers, coolers, mop sinks and shelves. There was also food debris and grease under the equipment, at corners and along the walls in the prep area.

The inspector found broken light shields above the sink and storage area and ice scoops were not properly stored.