Absinthe Cafe
Last inspected: May 24, 2017
64
Score
Public records show six inspections at Absinthe Cafe stretching back to 2010. On May 24, 2017, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical. The file hasn't been updated since May 24, 2017, so take the current picture with that in mind.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to six violations.
Across the inspection history, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 24, 2017
Routine
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE IN THE BASEMENT TO REMOVE DISCOLORATION BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.
32
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK BEING USED TO WASH DISHES WITH THE LEFT COMPARTMENT EMPTY AND THE RIGHT COMPARTMENT FILLED UP WITH SOAP AND WATER; EMPLOYEE WAS WASHING POTS AND PANS WITHOUT SANITIZING. 2-COMPARTMENT OR PREP SINK IS TO BE USED TO FOR FOOD PREP (I.E. WASHING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES) AND THAWING FOODS ONLY. 2-COMPARTMENT SINK SHALL NOT BE USED TO WASH ANY DISHES OR UTENSILS. MUST USE THE 3-COMPARMTENT SINK TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE OR THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE IN THE BASEMENT TO PROPERLY WASH DISHES AND UTENSILS AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
8
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: THE ONLY EXPOSED HAND SINK LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA WAS DISCONNECTED/BROKEN WITH NO RUNNING WATER AT TIME OF INSPECTION. THE HANDWASHING SINK MUST BE ACCESSIBLE WITH HOT & COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE, SOAP & PAPER TOWELS, AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE. 48 HOUR NOTICE GIVEN TO REPAIR SINK IN THE KITCHEN PREP AREA; KITCHEN STAFF MUST USE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE PREP AREA UNTIL THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IS REPAIRED. SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS WERE PROVIDED AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK UPON MY REQUEST. WHEN I RETURNED ON 5/25/17 TO FINISH THE REPORT, THE EXPOSED HAND SINK HAD BEEN REPAIRED WITH HOT/COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE-CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION. CRITCAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
11
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED: OBSERVED GREASE DROPLETS HANGING OFF OF THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE RECEPTACLE AND POOLING ON TOP OF THE LID. ALL GREASE MUST BE MAINTAINED INSIDE OF THE GREASE RECEPTACLE AT ALL TIMES. WHEN I RETURNED TO FINISH THE REPORT ON 5/25/17 THE GREASE RECEPTACLE HAD BEEN DETAIL CLEANED AND SANITIZED-CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
19
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT WAS NOT POSTED FOR CUSTOMERS TO VIEW AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT MUST BE DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010
28
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE ICE LIDS/COVERS FOR CONSUMABLE ICE BINS BEHIND THE BAR TO PROPERLY PROTECT ICE IN BETWEEN USE.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED RUSTED FOOD STORAGE SHELVES ON THE BOTTOM SHELVES OF THE COLD-HOLDING REFRIGERATION UNITS IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO EITHER REPLACE THE RUSTED FOOD STORAGE SHELVES OR RESURFACE THEM AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A LINER INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO USE NON-ABSORBENT MATERIALS ONLY TO ALLOW ROUTINE CLEANING AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE MEAT SLICER IN THE BASEMENT TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS BUILDUP AND MAINTAIN.
33
64
Oct 21, 2015
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: BAR GUNS AT BAR AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS IN FRONT BAR IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL SPLATTER AND BUILD UP. CEILING ABOVE COOKING AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: AIR VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
86
Mar 5, 2014
Complaint
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTALL SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED SINK AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT. REMOVE MILK CRATES AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING FOR STORAGE IN BASEMENT. SEAL RAW WOOD SURFACES IN WALK-IN COOLER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL SINKS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOORS IN FURNACE ROOM. RE-SEAL/PAINT FLOORS IN BASEMENT PREP AREA.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: REPLACE MISSING AND DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELDS IN BASEMENT PREP/STORAGE AREA. REPLACE LIGHT BULBS IN BASEMENT.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR LEAK UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR EAST BAR. REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AND DRAINPIPE ON 2-COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AREA.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. REMOVE SOILED WATER AND STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: STORE ICE SCOOP HANDLE UP OR SEPARATE CONTAINER TO MINIMIZE BARE HAND CONTACT.
43
70
Jul 30, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Multi use utensils not properly stored. Instructed to invert utensils to prevent contamination before use.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Interior ice machine panel not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Floor along wallbase and in corners not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Faucet at 2 comp sink and exposed handsink drainline in basement leaking. Instructed to repair leak at both sinks.
38
82
Dec 10, 2010
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: SPLASHGUARD AT EXPOSED HANDSINK IN BASEMENT DISHROOM IS NEEDED,REPLACE WORNED OUT CUTTING BOARDS IN FOOD PREP AREAS.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT DISHROOM/FOOD PREP ARE NOT SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT COFFEE EXPRESSO MACHINE AT FRONT SERVICE AREA NOT INSTALLED.
38
86
Dec 2, 2010
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: All dishwashing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health.FOUND PLUMBERS PUTTY INSIDE THE 3 COMP SINK DIVIDERS IN BASEMENT DISHROOM,MUST BE REPAIRED APPLY A LIGHT WELD TO SMOOTH,EASILY CLENABLE SURFACE.
24
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.SPLASHGUARD AT EXPOSED HANDSINK IN BASEMENT DISHROOM IS NEEDED,REPLACE WORNED OUT CUTTING BOARDS IN FOOD PREP AREAS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.THE FOLLOWING REQUIRES DETAIL CLEANING SHELVING,FAN COVERS INSIDE WALK-IN-COOLER,ICE MACHINE,TOPS/BOTTOMS OF FOOD PREP TABLES,EXTERIOR SURFACES OF DISHMACHINE,BAR GUN,HOUSING ATTACHED.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT DISHROOM/FOOD PREP ARE NOT SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE,COFFEE EXPRESSO MACHINE NOT INSTALLED.
38
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Absinthe Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Absinthe Cafe on file is from May 24, 2017. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Absinthe Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Absinthe Cafe.
Has Absinthe Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Absinthe Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Absinthe Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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