Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe

1301-1331 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago, IL 60622
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Oct 29, 2019
55
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe, the earliest from 2016. Inspectors last stopped by on Oct 29, 2019. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe. The file hasn't been updated since Oct 29, 2019, so take the current picture with that in mind.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.

“Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe's latest score of 55 falls below the Chicago average of 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 29, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE WITH THE NECESSARY ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENU FOR RAW UNDER COOKED FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO DESCRIBE AND DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT OF THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SO THAT CAN BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICE AND MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHING COOKING EQUIPMENT AND BEHIND COOKERS IN FRONT BAR AREA.
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DOES NOT HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
58
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN OR POSTER AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL PREP COOLERS AND MUST MAINTAIN.
36
55
Mar 10, 2017
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 3, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: THE REAR HAND SINK LOCATED NEXT TO THE HOODVENT AND COOKING EQUIPMENT WAS MISSING PAPER TOWELS AND THE FRONT HAND SINK LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT COUNTER WAS MISSING SOAP AT TIME OF INSPECTION. HAND SOAP AND APPROVED DRYING DEVICES (PAPER TOWELS OR AUTOMATIC HAND DRYERS) MUST PROVIDE AT ALL HAND SINKS FOR EMPLOYEE USE IN PREP AREAS, BATHROOMS, AND SHARED TOILET ROOMS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
12
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MICE DROPPINGS IN PREP AREAS ON PREMISES: FOUND APPROXIMATELY 10 DROPPINGS BEHIND THE GARBAGE CAN NEXT TO THE 3-DOOR REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR, APPROXIMATELY 8 DROPPINGS UNDER THE 3-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, APPROXIMATELY 10 DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE COFFEE STATION, APPROXIMATELY 5 DROPPINGS ON THE BOTTOM SHELF UNDER THE COFFEE STATION, APPROXIMATELY 10 DROPPINGS UNDER THE ICE MACHINE, AND APPROXIMATELY 10 DROPPINGS IN THE CORNER UNDER THE WINE STORAGE RACK IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER. OBSERVED A GAP BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT ENTRACE DOORS AND GAPS IN THE DOOR SWEEP ON THE LEFT SIDE. MUST INSTALL NEW DOOR SWEEPS TO RODENT/INSECT PROOF FRONT ENTRANCE DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE TO ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE ACTIVITY. ALL DROPPINGS MUST BE REMOVED AND ALL AREAS WHERE DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED MUST BE DETAIL CLEANED AND SANITIZED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
18
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT FROM THE PREVIOUS INSPECTION WAS NOT POSTED FOR CUSTOMERS TO VIEW. COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY 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: OBSERVED CLEAN CUTTING BOARDS STORED BEHIND THE FAUCET HEAD OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CLEAN CUTTING BOARDS IN A SEPARATE CLEAN AREA TO AVOID SPLASH CONTAMINATION WHILE WASHING DISHES.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE ACCUMULATION AROUND THE WHEELS OF THE STORAGE CART IN THE PREP AREA NEXT TO THE 3-DOOR REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE GREASE AND MAINTAIN.
33
78
Mar 17, 2016
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPLACE BROKEN AND MISSING STOPPERS FOR BOTH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK(KITCHEN HAS BROKEN STOPPER,BAR SINK REPLACE). COUNTER TOP AT BAR AREA NOT COMPLETELY SEALED,CAULK AREA MENTIONED WITH A SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL SPLASH GUARDS IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND MOUNTED WALL POTATOES SLICER AND BETWEEN THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND PREP COOLER. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: ICE MACHINE START TO SHOW SIGNS OF ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE INSIDE THE OVENS AND DEEP FRYER INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DEBRIS ON FLOOR INSIDE THE MOP SINK,BASEMENT WERE HOT WATER TANK IS LOCATED.INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MISSING FLOOR TILE BY THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND TIMED FAUCETS THE WATER DOES NOT STAY ON WITHOUT HOLDING THE HANDLE(15 SECONDS) ON BOTH WASHROOMS. MIDDLE FAUCET ON BOTH WASHROOMS NO HOT WATER IS PROVIDED,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
38
82
Mar 10, 2016
License
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: WE OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MICE DROPPINGS IN DIFFERENT LOCATION OF PREMISES. UNDER THE COFFEE STATION AT WEST WALL,5 DROPPINGS;UNDER THE COFFEE STATION / ICE MACHINE SOUTH WALL 10 DROPPINGS; BESIDE THE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER AND ALONG THE NORTH WALL 6 DROPPINGS;BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE 7 DROPPINGS; SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AREA UNDER THE SHELVES 15 DROPPINGS,ALSO DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED AT MOP SINK STORAGE AREA LOCATED INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. OUT OPENERS NOT PROTECTED.1/2" TO 1" OF GAPS ON DOORS OF BOTH ENTRANCE(COFFEE SHOP AND MOP SINK) NOT RODENT / INSECT PROOFED. INSTRUCTED TO RODENT / INSECT PROOF SAID DOORS. CLEAN AND SANITIZE MENTIONED AREAS NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOR A PEST CONTROL SERVICE PROVIDED AT PRESENT TIME. SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-020
18
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPLACE BROKEN AND MISSING STOPPERS FOR BOTH THREE COMPARTMENT SINK(KITCHEN HAS BROKEN STOPPER,BAR SINK REPLACE). COUNTER TOP AT BAR AREA NOT COMPLETELY SEALED,CAULK AREA MENTIONED WITH A SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL SPLASH GUARDS IS NEEDED BETWEEN THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AND MOUNTED WALL POTATOES SLICER AND BETWEEN THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND PREP COOLER. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: COFFEE SPILLAGE UNDER THE COFFEE MACHINE INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. ICE MACHINE START TO SHOW SIGNS OF ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DEBRIS AND SPILLAGE INSIDE THE OVENS AND DEEP FRYER INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DEBRIS ON FLOOR INSIDE THE MOP SINK,BASEMENT WERE HOT WATER TANK IS LOCATED AND SMALL STORAGE AT SECOND FLOOR WERE DRY FOOD STORAGE AREA,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND ELVATE 6" OFF THE FLOOR ITEMS NEEDED AND REMOVE WHAT IS NOT NEEDED. MISSING FLOOR TILE BY THE BAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LOSE FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT BAR AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. FOUND TIMED FAUCETS THE WATER DOES NOT STAY ON WITHOUT HOLDING THE HANDLE(15 SECONDS) ON BOTH WASHROOMS. MIDDLE FAUCET ON BOTH WASHROOMS NO HOT WATER IS PROVIDED,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
38
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe on file is from Oct 29, 2019. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe.

Has Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Alejo's Boathouse Cafe — Boat House Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.