SANITARY INSPECTION RECORD — CITY OF CHICAGO

CHINA BUFFET INC..

BEAT. 28/100

3029 N PULASKI RD · AVONDALE, CHICAGO

Last inspected December 19, 2019 · passed

Failed 4 of 9 inspections. 5 critical violations on the cumulative record. Pattern of issues, not a one-off.

THE NUMBERS

INSPECTIONS
9
5 passed · 4 failed
VIOLATIONS
39
includes 5 critical
RECORDS COVER
3 YEARS
since Mar 2016

INSPECTION HISTORY

DEC 19
2019
PASSED
0 violations
DEC 16
2019
FAILED
9 violations2 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE

2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PREMISES COOKS AND SERVES CHICKEN AND RICE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSFood Storage & Handling
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

3-501.17 OBSERVED SOME READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS REFRIGERATED MORE THAN 24 HOURS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL APPLICABLE FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

4-602.13 CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYERS.

SERIOUSEmployee Hygiene
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

5-205.15 OBSERVED WATER BACKING UP INTO THE MOP SINK WHEN THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IS USED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO THAT THE SINK DOES NOT BACK UP WITH WATER.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

6-501.12 CLEAN THE WALL OF THE FOOD PREP AREA BELOW THE BROILER.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

6-501.14 CLEAN THE EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

2-102.13 OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON THE PREMISES FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THIS TRAINING.

CRITICALPest Activity
PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED

PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #38 NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2352770 ON 12/4/19: 38 - OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND UNDERNEATH THE BUFFET TABLE. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER AND ICE MACHINE AND ON THE DRY STORAGE SHELVES. ALSO OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 MOUSE DROPPINGS INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER LEDGE. ALSO OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS UNDERNEATH THE BUFFET TABLE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

DEC 4
2019
FAILED
12 violations3 CRITICAL
DETAILS
CRITICALDocumentation & Training
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALSanitation
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSFood Temperature
FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

OBSERVED NO SANITIZER (0 PPM CHLORINE) AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT THE FINAL RINSE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE MACHINE SO THAT 100 PPM CHLORINE IS DETECTED AT THE FINAL RINSE. PRIORITY 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

SERIOUSFood Storage & Handling
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

OBSERVED SOME READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS REFRIGERATED MORE THAN 24 HOURS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL APPLICABLE FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

CRITICALPest Activity
INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND UNDERNEATH THE BUFFET TABLE. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 100 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE CHEST FREEZER AND ICE MACHINE AND ON THE DRY STORAGE SHELVES. ALSO OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 MOUSE DROPPINGS INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER LEDGE. ALSO OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS UNDERNEATH THE BUFFET TABLE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

MINORSanitation
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS INSIDE OF THE 3 DOOR FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS.

MINORSanitation
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

CLEAN THE GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE OF THE DEEP FRYERS.

MINORSanitation
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MINORSanitation
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

CLEAN THE WALL OF THE FOOD PREP AREA BELOW THE BROILER.

MINORSanitation
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

CLEAN THE EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILDUP ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING

OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES ON THE PREMISES FOR FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

MINORDocumentation & Training
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN THIS TRAINING.

OCT 10
2017
PASSED
2 violations
DETAILS
MINORSanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN THE FLOOR BEHIND AND AROUND THE WATER HEATER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

WALLS BEHIND THE DEEP FRYERS WITH HEAVY GREASE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN, REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN. FILTERS ON THE HOOD IN THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN, REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN

OCT 3
2017
FAILED
4 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSFacility Condition
PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

Previous minor violations not corrected from report #2010140 dated 4/11/17. #35- HOLE ON THE WALLS BY THE HALLWAY GOING TO THE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. SEAL THE GAP/HOLE AROUND THE PIPES THRU-OUT THE KITCHEN/PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE DINING TABLES IN THE DINING AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7- 42-090.

MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

CLEAN, REMOVE GREASE BUILD-UP ON THE LOWER COMPARTMENT OF ONE OF THE DEEP FRYER(OLD ONE)AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

CLEAN THE FLOOR BEHIND AND AROUND THE WATER HEATER WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

WALLS BEHIND THE DEEP FRYERS WITH HEAVY GREASE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN, REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN. FILTERS ON THE HOOD IN THE COOK LINE WITH GREASE BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN, REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN. CEILING VENT COVER INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM WITH DUST BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN, REMOVE DUST AND MAINTAIN.

show all 9 inspections →
APR 11
2017
PASSED
4 violations
DETAILS
MINORFood Storage & Handling
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

LABEL AND DATE ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH READY TO EAT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AND MAINTAIN.

MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

REPLACE ALL GROCERY BAGS BEING USED TO STORE FROZEN FOODS WITH FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.

MINORSanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

FLOOR BEHIND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER NEEDS DETAIL CLEANING AND MAINTAIN. ALL BUCKET WITH FOODS IN THE WALK IN COOLER MUST BE ELEVATED 6" OFF THE FLOOR.

MINORSanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

HOLE ON THE WALLS BY THE HALLWAY GOING TO THE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR AND MAITAIN. SEAL THE GAP/HOLE AROUND THE PIPES THRU-OUT THE KIRCHEN/PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN WALLS AND PIPES ON THE SIDE OF THE DEEP FRYER WITH HEAVY GREASE BUILD-UP. MUST REMOVE GREASE AND CLEAN IN DETAIL AND MAINTAIN. STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE THE DINING TABLES IN THE DINING AREA. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

NOV 14
2016
PASSED
0 violations
NOV 4
2016
FAILED
8 violations
DETAILS
SERIOUSSanitation
FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

Found food (ice used for consumption) not protected during service. Found large amounts of black and brown, slimy, mold-like substance throughout upper interior (and on the inner tubing) of ice machine in kitchen area. Ice machine turned off during inspection. Must remove substance, clean and sanitize machine. Must maintain same. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).

SERIOUSOther
* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

No city of Chicago certified manager on site while potentially hazardous foods (chicken, shrimp, pork, rice, etc.) being prepped and served. Must have a City of Chicago certified manager on site at all times while potentially hazardous foods are being prepped and/or served. Serious violation 7-38-012.

MINORChemical Safety
FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

Found all potentially hazardous prepped foods and bulk foods without proper labels. Must label potentially hazardous foods with date, and bulk foods with name. Must maintain same.

MINORSanitation
CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

Found several bowls stored inside food in reach in cooler, and also in bulk food storage items. Must properly store bowls in separate, clean container or must provide utensils with handles. Must maintain same.

MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

Found heavily soiled cutting board, with deep groves on top of reach in cooler near cooking line. Must replace or resurface. Must maintain same.

MINORSanitation
FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

Found excessive dust and debris build up on table can opener. Must remove and sanitize. Must maintain same.

MINORSanitation
FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

Found damaged, unattached lamenant flooring on floor of walk in cooler. Must remove. All surfaces must be smooth, easily cleanable and non-porous. Found several items stored directly on the floor of the walk in cooler, and other areas of the kitchen. Must elevate all items at least 6 inches above the floor to allow proper cleaning. Must maintain all.

MINORSanitation
WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS

Found excessive grease and dust build up on walls and attached piping near wok cooking area. Instructed to remove grease and dust, clean and sanitize this area. Must maintain same.

MAR 2
2016
PASSED
0 violations

Data sourced from Chicago Dept. of Public Health. We'd love to link you straight to this restaurant's record — turns out Chicago considers that a luxury. The full dataset is what's on offer →

NEARBY IN AVONDALE