Fruit Flies, Found at Sushi Restaurant: Health Inspections

Patch examined inspection reports in North Center. Information has been compiled using publicly available data published to the website of the Chicago Department of Public Health's Food Protection Program.

Restaurants and 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 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.

Short Stuff Day Care, 3811 N. Lincoln Ave.
Inspection date: Aug. 12
Results: Pass with Conditions
Violations: This visit was the result of a complaint. Upon arrival, the inspector couldn’t find any paper towels or soap on the premises. Instead, employees were drying children’s hands and mouths with the same towel as other children.

Employees were also using gloves to touch non-food surfaces and then serving cereal with the gloves still on. That earned the daycare two critical violations. A certified food manager wasn’t onsite while food was given to children.

Inspectors also found debris inside the reach-in freezer where children’s’ teething rings were stored. Managers need to remove debris along with dirty art sponges and clutter inside the mop sink.

Hot Woks, Cool Sushi, 2032 W. Roscoe St.
Inspection date: Aug. 13
Results: Fail
Violations: The inspector found more than 30 fruit flies in the basement dishwashing area. The grease container was also not well maintained with debris and fresh grease on the lid and dripping grease around the rim of the container.

Potentially hazardous foods were being stored in the reach-in cooler including taw tuna, marinated tuna, scallops and salmon. All of those foods, totaling $192 were thrown away.

Management needs to remove the cardboard being used a shelving liner and clean the rust off the shelves. All of the bulk food containers need to be cleaned and sanitized along with floors, coolers, prep tables, shelving, pots and pans and hand sink.

Chicago Kitchens, 1935 W. Irving Park Road
Inspection date: Aug. 26
Results: Pass
Violations: Management needs to fix stoppers that are broken inside the three-compartment sink. Three, unused coolers that are stored inside the attached garage, along with chairs, tables, etc need to be elevated and cleaned.