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Merla's Kitchen

July 17, 2023 · Fail

🪳cooked

official resultFail
resultFail
inspection typeCanvass
failed findings8
critical findings2

Failed findings

no certified food manager on dutycritical

Official wording: Person In Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, And Performs Duties
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE UPON ARRVAL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION.
code 1Priority
certified manager paperwork missingcritical

Official wording: City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY UPON ARRIVAL WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS (CHICKEN) MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)
code 2Priority
Approved Thawing Methods Used

Inspector note: OBSERVED FISH BEING THAWED BY STAYING IN STAGNANT WATER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT FOOD IS THAWED UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER.
code 35
thermometers missing

Official wording: Thermometers Provided & Accurate
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO FOOD THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR MEASURING COLD FOODS. ALL FOOD THERMOMETERS ON SITE START AT 100 F AND UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING HOT AND COLD FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
code 36
pests in the house

Official wording: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF AT LEAST 2 PEST CONTROL SERVICES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF PEST CONTROL SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
code 38
surfaces / setup not up to code

Official wording: Food & Non-Food Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed & Used
Inspector note: OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING UTILIZED TO STORE FOOD IN FREEZER CHEST. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE WITH FOOD GRADE BAGS.
code 47
All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training

Inspector note: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
code 57
allergen training missing

Official wording: Allergen Training As Required
Inspector note: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WITH FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENT.
code 58

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Pass w/ Conditions on January 18, 2022: 3 findings appeared for the first time. 5 findings recurred. 4 previous findings did not recur.

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About this record

This record comes from Chicago Department of Public Health. Cooked keeps the official result and wording separate from its plain-English explanation so you can verify what the inspector actually published.

Source: Chicago Data Portal.