Argo Tea
Last inspected: Aug 23, 2019
86
Score
Argo Tea has been inspected 11 times since 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on Aug 23, 2019. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues. Note that Argo Tea's inspection history hasn't been updated since Aug 23, 2019; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 23, 2019
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED ARTICLES AND COOLERS STORED DIRECTLY UNDER WASTE WATER LINES IN THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. MUST REMOVE AND STORE ALL ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. -
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED THE DOOR TO THE PREP COOLER IN POOR REPAIR WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR DETACHED FROM THE UNIT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. -
47
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: - OBSERVED SOME FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES EXPIRED. MUST PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES ON SITE. -
57
86
Mar 6, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP KIT SUPPLIES ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE THE CLEAN UP KIT SUPPLIES TO FOLLOW FACILITY'S WRITTEN CLEAN UP POLICY ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#:7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE INTERIOR OF THE FREEZERS IN THE DRY STORAGE UNIT. MUST REMOVE RUST, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESS DIRT AND DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRY STORAGE UNIT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
82
Jul 27, 2018
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST PROVIDE A VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEANING PROCEDURE WITH BIOHAZARD CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 2-DOOR REACH IN MILK COOLER RUBBER DOOR GASKETS RIPPED/POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR RUBBER GASKETS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/GRIME BUILD UP ON WALLS AROUND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK ALSO OBSERVED FOOD/GRIME BUILD UP ON EXTERIOR OF SINKS AND SINKS HANDLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN WALLS AROUND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND CLEAN EXTERIOR/INTERIOR OF SINKS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BASEMENT FLOOR LITTERED UNDER SHELF RACKS AND CORNERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON PREMISES.
58
67
Aug 21, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS AT PASTRY DISPLAY CASE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
36
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: NO HANDS WASHING SIGNS IN EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
37
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER IN GRAB AN GO AND COFFEE STATION COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
40
86
Mar 10, 2016
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND EXPOSED HAND SINK ON PREMISES: HOT WATER TEMPERATURE WAS 79.9F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. MANAGER CONTACTED THE HOSPITALS EMERGENCY RESPONSE ENGINEERING TEAM THAT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE HOT WATER AT 110F AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND 85F AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINK DURING THE INSPECTION. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
9
95
Nov 17, 2015
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: REFRIGERATED FOOD STORAGE FACILITIES AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED REACH IN COOLER IN THE PREP AREA AT 47 DEGREES F AND THE REACH IN COOLER IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA BETWEEN 52-60 DEGREES F. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN REFRIGERATION UNITS AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: NOTED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. NOTED QUICHE AT 50-53 DEGREES F, YOGURT AT 48.7-50 DEGREES F, MILK AT 47.6 DEGREES F, VARIOUS DELI SANDWICHES AT 48.9 DEGREES F, SPINACH AT 47-50 DEGREES F, LENTIL SALAD AT 49.7-52 DEGREES F, BLACK BEAN SALAD AT 49.7-52 DEGREES F,HALF AND HALF AT 53.6 DEGREES F,RAW EGGS AT 58 DEGREES F,AND VARIOUS CHEESES AT 47-52 DEGREES F. MUST MAINTAIN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS COLD FOODS AT 40 DEGREES F AND BELOW. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005A
3
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR TOP PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST ALSO CLEAN SINKS, STORAGE CABINETS, COUNTER TOPS, REFRIGERATION UNITS AND ALL EQUIPMENT AS NEEDED.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH SINKS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT. KEEP FLOORS DRY UNDER THE HAND SINK AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN LOWER WALLS IN PREP AREA UNDER SINKS AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT.
35
78
Nov 12, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPLACE THE STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF THE SANDWICH PREP COOLER. REPLACE THE WATER DAMAGED PARTICLEBOARD CABINET BELOW THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS.
33
90
Jul 31, 2012
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING THERMOMETER IN ACOOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
40
95
Oct 25, 2011
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CAULKING AROUND SINKS & ALONG WALLS OF SINK COUNTERS MUST BE REPLACED, TO PREVENT WATER SEEPING THRU THE WALLS OR COUNTERTOPS. All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: FOLLOWING NEED CLEANING: GASKETS OF COOLER DOORS, INTERIOR FLOORS OF COOLERS, CABINETS UNDER SINKS. GREASE TRAP NEEDS ATTENTION DUE TO ODOR EMITTING FROM UNDER SINKS & AROUND THE TRAP. All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOLLOWING PLUMBING ISSUES MUST BE ADDRESSED: LEAK ON PIPE UNDER DUMP SINK,& BASE OF HANDSINK FAUCET IS LEAKING ALSO. 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.
38
86
Aug 16, 2010
Reinspection
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARD IN NEED OF REPLACING WORN DISCOLORED WITH DEEP CUTS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: INTERIOR OF CABINETS, COUNTER TOPS, SINKS. TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP OF SPILLS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS UNDER EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING AND MUST BE KEPT DRY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS AND CEILINGS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: AIR VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST BUILD-UP, LEAK AT PASTRY CASE IN NEED OF REPAIR. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
38
78
Aug 9, 2010
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 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. THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. SINK NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO SUBMERGE ALL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. MUST REPLACE SINK WITH LARGER SINK OR REPAIR DISHMACHINE. ALL LARGE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM SERVICE. IE....RICE COOKER AND MUFFIN TINS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED. DISHWASHING FACILITIES NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY.
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. CUTTING BOARD IN NEED OF REPLACING WORN DISCOLORED WITH DEEP CUTS. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
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. All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: INTERIOR OF CABINETS, COUNTER TOPS, SINKS. TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP OF SPILLS.
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 UNDER EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING AND MUST BE KEPT DRY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Use dustless cleaning methods. WALLS AND CEILINGS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DUST BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. 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. AIR VENTS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE DUST BUILD-UP, LEAK AT PASTRY CASE IN NEED OF REPAIR. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
38
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Argo Tea last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Argo Tea on file is from Aug 23, 2019. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Argo Tea?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Argo Tea.
Has Argo Tea's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Argo Tea have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Argo Tea means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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