Al's Beef
Last inspected: Oct 31, 2017
70
Score
Al's Beef appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2011. On Oct 31, 2017, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe. Al's Beef's record stops at Oct 31, 2017, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around two violations to closer to six violations.
When inspectors have written things up, “* certified food manager on site” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 31, 2017
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION, WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS; BEEF AND POTATOES ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE CERTIFIED MANAGER ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR BROKEN DOOR GASKET ON WALK IN COOLER. REPAIR BROKEN WALK IN COOLER DOOR, DOOR OFF HINGES, AND REMOVE RUST ON STORAGE RACKS IN SAID COOLER, SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. DISCONTINUE USING ALUMINUM FOIL ON HEAVY EQUIPMENT. REMOVE PLASTIC WRAPPED AROUND FAUCET ON 3-COMP SINK.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACE OF MICROWAVE AND CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE. CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM LOWER SHELVES ON PREP TABLES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, WALK IN COOLER, IN OUTSIDE STORAGE SHED, AND TOILET ROOM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE DUST FROM CEILING VENT IN TOILET ROOM. ALSO, CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE FROM HOOD FILTERS. REPAIR DETACHED WALL TRIM ON WALL BEHIND TOILET ROOM DOOR.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN UNKNOWN DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA.
36
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: HAIR RESTRAINTS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES IN PREP AREA, OBSERVED STAFF NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS.
42
70
Mar 16, 2016
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands washed and cleaned, good hygienic practices; no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITH POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES, BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOOD (SANDWICHES)DURING PREPARATION. INSTRUCTED ON PROPER HANDWASHING AND BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOOD. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010(A).
6
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO VALID CITY OF CHCIAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVERED SUCH AS ITALIAN BEEF,CHILI,HAMBURGER. A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012.
21
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 1537322 DATED 4/25/2015 (45)(29)INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS. NOT CORRECTED, MUST COMPLY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
29
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT PROPER HAIR RESTRAINT.
42
82
Apr 24, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO VALID CITY OF CHCIAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVERED SUCH AS ITALIAN BEEF,CHILI,HAMBURGER. A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. CITATION ISSUED #7-38-012.
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVERED RUST, FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVING INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED FLOORS INSIDE OUTSIDE DRY STORAGE ROOM DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. ALSO NOTED GREASE AND SPILLS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: NOTED FOOD SPLATTER INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER ON WALLS. MUST CLEAN. ALSO CLEAN INSIDE LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE DINING AREA TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NOTED LEAKY FAUCET AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINK. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE IDPH'S FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.
45
74
Dec 11, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO PERSON ON SITE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE CERTIFICATE AND PERSON ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ITEMS. CERTIFICATE MUST BE POSTED AND PERSON ON SITE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED NO CITY OF CHGO SANITATION CERT/PERSON ON SITE.
21
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL FOOD BUIKLD UP: STOVE TOP, FRYERS, GRILL AND PREP TABLES. ICE MACHINE IN NEED OF CLEANING. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS IN CORNERS AND UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. COVING IN POOR REPAIR AT PICK UP WINDOW AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: HOOD VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL GREASE BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
82
Jul 20, 2012
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 19, 2012
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, OBSERVED LIVE ANT ON EXTERIOR OF BEVERAGE UNIT AND ALSO IN CUP WHEN SODA DISPENSED. UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD TO SERVICE UNIT, CLEAN AND SANITIZE. INSTD NOT TO USE UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CDPH. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A SERIOUS.
16
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: LIGHTSHIELDS THRU-OUT NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
35
86
Apr 25, 2011
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. MUST INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
37
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Al's Beef last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Al's Beef on file is from Oct 31, 2017. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Al's Beef?
Across the inspection record, “* certified food manager on site” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Al's Beef.
Has Al's Beef's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Al's Beef have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Al's Beef 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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