HABANERO.
222 W MERCHANDISE MART PLZ · RIVER NORTH, CHICAGO
12 of 19 inspections passed, 1 failed, 6 passed with conditions. 6 critical violations across the record.
THE NUMBERS
INSPECTION HISTORY
FEB 182026PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE REAR PREP COOLER. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED THERMOMETER DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS CONTAINING TCS ITEMS.
OBSERVED CONTAINERS OF BULK ITEMS SUCH AS RICE AND BEANS NOT LABELLED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL WITH COMMON NAME.
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING REPEAT CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2611931 DATED 2/7/2025: #57 "OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR TWO FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS." #58 "OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2611931 DATED 2/7/2025. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.
FEB 72025PASSED5 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE POSTED IN MEN OR WOMEN'S WASHROOMS USED BY EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.
OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES IN FRONT AND MIDDLE PREP AREAS OF FACILITY. OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN FLOOR TILES IN FRONT PREP AREAS IN FRONT OF COLD HOLDING UNIT AND MIDDLE PREP AREA BETWEEN COLD HOLDING UNIT, THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REGROUT IN BETWEEN FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED NON WORKING LEFT LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR NON WORKING LEFT LIGHT IN HOOD TO INCREASE LIGHT INTENSITY.
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR TWO FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS
OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGERS.
JUN 122024PASS W/ CONDITIONS6 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS IN THE REAR LINE COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES FOR COLD-HOLDING: EGG AT 45.1F, SAUSAGE AT 48.1F, BEEF AT 50.2F. INSTRUCTED TO DENATURE AND DISCARD FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. PERSON-IN-CHARGE DENATURED AND DISCARDED ALL FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES ON-SITE. APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS. VALUED APPROXIMATELY $75.00 DISCARDED ON-SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED THE REAR LINE COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD-HOLDING OF TCS FOODS WITH INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.2F. OBSERVED FRONT REACH-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE FOR COLD HOLDING, PERSON-IN-CHARGE AWARE OF COOLER IN POOR REPAIR AND REMOVED TCS FOODS PRIOR TO INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TCS FOOD ITEMS AND CEASE USE OF REAR LINE COOLER TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS. PERSON-IN-CHARGE REMOVED ALL TCS FOOD FROM REAR LINE COOLER AT TIME OF INSPECTION. TAGGED REAR LINE AND FRONT REACH-IN COOLERS FOR INSPECTION ON-SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED IN-USE KNIFE STORED IN-BETWEEN COUNTER EQUIPMENT AT THE REAR PREP LINE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE KNIFE FROM BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND STORE IN-USE UTENSILS ON A CLEAN, SANITIZED SURFACE AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED ALUMINUM FOIL USED TO LINE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF COOKING AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALUMINUM FOIL FROM NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES AND MAINTAIN ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES (INTERIOR CAVITY) OF REAR LINE COOLER TO BE SOILED WITH DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF EQUIPMENT AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED GAPS BETWEEN TILES ON FLOOR OF FACILITY SOILED WITH DRIED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF SOIL AND MAINTAIN.
DEC 62023PASSED1 violationDETAILS
Improper cooling method for cooked black beans, beans container covered tightly during cooling down, instructed to cover loosely to facilitate cooling down process.
OCT 192022PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOOR IN FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST COMPLETE TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
show all 19 inspections →
MAY 32021PASSED6 violationsDETAILS
MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; RICE, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD IS REMOVED FROM ORGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PREPARING FOOD AT HOT FOOD LINE WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT, INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS FROM LOWER SHELVES ON PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
MUST REPAIR LEAKY DRAIN PIPE UNDERNEATH HANDWASHING SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
MUST DETAIL CLEAN LOOSE FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOORS IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISH AREAS, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
MUST RE-GROUT FLOOR IN FRONT OF 3-COMP SINK AND THROUGHOUT REAR PREP/STORAGE ARA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
AUG 52020PASS W/ CONDITIONS5 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS MAINTAINED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN BOTH FRONT COLD-HOLD UNIT AND IN REAR 2 DOOR COOLER: IN FRONT COLD-HOLD UNIT GUACAMOLE AT 51.4F AND PICO DE GALLO AT 54.5F AND IN THE REAR 2 DOOR COOLER CHICKEN BREASTS AT 52.6F, SALSA AT 48.6F, AND UNCOOKED BACON AT 47.7F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 10LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $30. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TCS ITEMS AT OR BELOW 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED 2 COOLERS CONTAINING TCS ITEMS MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: COLD-HOLD UNIT IN FRONT PREP AREA CONTAINING TCS ITEMS SUCH AS GUACAMOLE AND PICO DE GALLO MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 51.0F AND A 2 DOOR COOLER LOCATED IN REAR STORAGE AREA CONTAINING TCS ITEMS SUCH AS CHICKEN, SALSA, AND BACON MAINTAINING AN IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 46.1F. BOTH COOLERS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
OBSERVED CUTTING BOARD OPPOSITE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK COVERED IN DEEP GROOVES AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, CLEANABLE SURFACES.
OBSERVED DIRTY GASKET ON PREP COOLER LOCATED IN FRONT MAIN LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME ON CAULK AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED IN REAR OF FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, RE-CAULK, AND MAINTAIN.
JUL 222019PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violationsDETAILS
LARGE CONTAINERS OF SLASA IN DOUBLE DOOR COOLER NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL TCS FOODS THAT IS HELD MORE THAN 24HRS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, NO CITATION ISSUED
BULK-FOOD CONTAINERS ( SALT ) AND SPRAY BOTTLES NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.
JAN 172019PASS W/ CONDITIONS2 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN
NO VOMIT/ DIARRHEA CLEANUP PROCEDURE ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN
JAN 32019FAILED3 violations2 CRITICALDETAILS
NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
NO VOMIT/ DIARRHEA CLEANUP PROCEDURE ON SITE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.
NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT 3-COMP SINK, WATER TEMP AT 78F, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE 110F MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE AT WASH SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOL 7-38-030 (C)
JAN 62017PASSED2 violationsDETAILS
OBSERVED TOWEL BEING USED AS SHELF LINER. OBSERVED CARDBOARDS BEING USED AS SHELF LINER. NO POUROUS MATERIAL CAN BE USED AND ALL SURFACES MUST BE NON POROUS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
OBSERVED DARK GROOVES IN CUTTING BOARDS IN MAIN PREP AREA. ALL CUTTING BOARDS MUST BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED SO THAT ALL DARK GROOVES ARE REMOVED. IF DARK GROOVES CAN NOT BE REMOVED CUTTING BOARDS MUST BE REPLACED.
MAR 42016PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
BULK CONTAINERS (RICE, BEANS) NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL BULK CONTAINERS.
OBSERVED SLIGHT DISCOLORATION ON SODA MACHINE ICE MACHINE ICE CHUTE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE/ICE CHUTE.
1-COMPARTMENT SINK DRAIN PIPE LEAKING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINK.
DIGITAL METAL STEM THERMOMETER OUT OF BATTERIES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE/CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
FEB 192015PASSED4 violationsDETAILS
MUST RE CAULK ALONG THE SPLASH GUARD OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK(WORN OUT WITH BLACK MOLDY LIKE SUBSTANCE) AND MAINTAIN. RUSTED LID OF THE GREASE TRAP BOX UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN.
MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE INSIDE BOTTOM SHELVE OF THE PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT SERVING AREA AND PREP COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN. MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE MOP SINK.
HOLES THRU-OUT THE WALLS ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMEMT SINK. MUST SEAL ALL HOLES AND MAINTAIN.
MUST ENROLL ONLINE TO GET A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.
SEP 182014PASSED1 violationDETAILS
NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAMES, USE BY OR PREPARED BY DATE, INCLUDING BULK ITEMS.
DEC 192013PASSED1 violationDETAILS
MISSING GROUT AT DISH WAHING AREA FLOOR TILES, TRAPPING WASTE WATER AND FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTE TO GROUT TILES AND MAINTAIN.
JAN 72013PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
FOOD STRAINER IN POOR REPAIR, WIRES STICKING OUT, INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND USE ONLY SOUND EQUIPMENT.
MISSING REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
SOAP DISPESER INSTALLED ABOVE PREP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
JAN 102012PASS W/ CONDITIONS4 violations1 CRITICALDETAILS
All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. OBSERVED UNHYGIENIC FOOD PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES. OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE USE A COMMON TOWEL TO DRY THEIR HANDS INSTEAD OF A PAPER TOWEL FROM THE DISPENSER. ALSO OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES FAIL TO WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER CHANGING GLOVES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED ON PROPER HANDWASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS.
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST REGROUT THE FLOOR TILES IN THE DISHWASH AREA.
All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL PREP COOLERS.
NOV 262010PASSED3 violationsDETAILS
All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. OBSERVED FOOD BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR RUBBER GASKETS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN COOLER GASKETS.
The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAINS IN PREP AREA.
The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. OBSERVED SMALL HOLES IN WALL AT STORAGE AREA ACROSS FROM STAND UP REACH IN COOLERS. MUST SEAL ALL HOLES IN WALL.
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 →