Pita Express

March 13, 2024 · Fail

🪳cooked

official resultFail
resultFail
inspection typeComplaint
failed findings13
critical findings3

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Failed findings

handwashing sink blocked or barecritical

Official wording: Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied And Accessible
Inspector note: Observed no handwashing station in basement prep area. Observed evidence of food prep and storage in basement. Instructed manager to install a handwashing station or sink in basement by 3/20. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). • Observed no paper towels present at front prep hand sink. Instructed manager to provide paper towels and maintain. Priority foundation violation 7-38-030(c). Consolidate with the above citation.
code 10Priority
certified manager paperwork missingcritical

Official wording: City Of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate
Inspector note: Observed no Certified Food Manager on site while TCS foods are prepared, handled, and/or served. (Handling beef, chicken, hummus) PIC provided a photo copy of certificate on phone. Physical and original copy must be present and posted as required. Priority foundation violation 7-38-012,citation issued.
code 2Priority
sick-employee policy not followedcritical

Official wording: Management, Food Employee And Conditional Employee; Knowledge, Responsibilities And Reporting
Inspector note: Observed no employee health policies on site at time of inspection. Discussed with manager to provide a signed health policy for each employee, and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation 7-38-010, citation issued.
code 3Priority
cold food not cold enough

Official wording: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures
Inspector note: Observed TCS foods (chicken, hummus, rice, cheese, diced tomatoes) in standing double door cooler in rear to be at improper cold holding temperature with chicken at 46.4 degrees, hummus as 46.3 degrees, tomatoes at 46.5 degrees, rice at 70.3 degrees, cheese at 45 degrees, and shishkabob at 46.4 degrees. Instructed manager to monitor and maintain all cold TCS foods at 41 degrees or colder at all times. Management voluntarily discarded and denatured approximately 50 lbs of food worth $300. Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
code 22
food prep surfaces dirty

Official wording: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment For Temperature Control
Inspector note: Observed double door standing cooler in rear prep area with an ambient air temp of 48.2 degrees. Instructed management to repair and maintain the cooler at 41 degrees or colder at all times. Cooler is tagged "held for inspection" at this time, and manager is instructed not to use until repaired. (See comments below). Priority violation 7-38-005, citation issued.
code 33
thermometers missing

Official wording: Thermometers Provided & Accurate
Inspector note: Observed no thermometer present in clear glass doored cooler at front prep area. Instructed manager to provide an maintain a working thermometer in all coolers.
code 36
food improperly labeled

Official wording: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container
Inspector note: Observed bulk storage container without a label. Instructed to provide common name of contents to properly identify all items in establishment. (Salt, sugar, sesame, flour, etc.)
code 37
Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & Display

Inspector note: Observed multiple waste lines above three compartment sink as well as over prep tables in basement prep area of establishment. Waste lines from first floor handwashing sinks and 3 compartment sinks. Instructed to encase all waste water pipes to prevent from potential drips and sources of contamination over 3 compartment sink and any food prep and storage areas. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005, citation issued. • Observed dry storage and spices stored in basement beneath unfinished wood and open ceiling in basement. Provide smooth and easily cleanable surface on ceiling over any food storage or prep areas.
code 39
Utensils, Equipment & Linens: Properly Stored, Dried, & Handled

Inspector note: Observed spoons, scoops, and utensils stored improperly in rear prep area storage rack. All utensils must be inverted when stored.
code 44
Single-Use/Single-Service Articles: Properly Stored & Used

Inspector note: Observed single service items stored facing up in rear prep storage rack. All single service items must be stored inverted.
code 45
plumbing acting up

Official wording: Non-Food/Food Contact Surfaces Clean
Inspector note: Observed exterior, sides, and gasket of glass door cooler in front prep area to have heavy accumulation of food residue and debris. Instructed manager to clean and regularly maintain area free of food residue and debris.
code 49
All Food Employees Have Food Handler Training

Inspector note: Observed no food handler certificates provided on premises. Must show proof of training for all food handler employees.
code 57
allergen training missing

Official wording: Allergen Training As Required
Inspector note: Observed no allergen training certificate on site. Must show proof of training.
code 58

What changed since the previous inspection?

Compared with Pass on April 19, 2023: 13 findings appeared for the first time. 3 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.