Avalon Bar & Grill

5431 N East River Rd, Chicago, IL 60656
Bar / Pub
Last inspected: Jul 27, 2017
55
Score
Medium Risk

Avalon Bar & Grill has been inspected four times since 2016. On Jul 27, 2017, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme. No fresh inspection data is available: the latest entry for Avalon Bar & Grill dates to Jul 27, 2017.

Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around 12 violations per visit lately, up from roughly seven violations before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “hand washing facilities”, showing up two times.

That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
12
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 27, 2017
Reinspection
12 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: Upon arrival, when attempting to wash hands and verify hot water on site, found both kitchen exposed handsinks to be inaccessible- one sink had a pizza pan on top of it and the other sink had a plastic bucket in basin. Also found not paper towels at sink near three compartment sink. Instructed facility to maintain all exposed handsinks accessible with hot and cold water, soap, and paper towels. Facility corrected during inspection. Critical violation 7-38-030.
12
Previous serious violation corrected, 7-42-090
Inspector notes: Previous serious violation not corrected from report # 2070113, dated 7-19-17: Violation 22- "No chemical (chlorine) test kit on site for low temperature dish machine. Instructed facility to obtain, and maintain appropriate test kit (chlorine) on site. Serious violation 7-38-030." Facility obtained during inspection. Critical violation 7-42-090.
14
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: Galina Doychinova on site with a photocopy version of the city of Chicago Foodservice sanitation manager certificate. Additionally frame that holds sanitation certificates not posted and visible to customers (behind menus). Instructed facility that all original city of Chicago certified foodservice manager certificates must be posted and visible to customers. Serious violation 7038-012(a).
21
Toxic items properly stored, labeled and used
Inspector notes: Found a can of flying insect pesticide at the bar on top of soda bag in box units near the exposed handsink. Instructed facility that any toxic items must be stored away from all food and food contact/prep areas. Additionally any pesticides must be administered by a licensed pest control provider. Facility discarded at time of inspection. Serious violation 7-38-005(A).
25
* inspection report summary displayed and visible to all customers
Inspector notes: Previous inspection report summary, from report # 2070113, dated 7-19-17, not posted and visible to customers. Instructed facility that most current inspection report summary must be posted and visible to customers. Summary report issued today. Serious violation 7-42-010(b).
28
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed dirt and debris on the floors in various areas: behind cooking equipment, on the walk in cooler floor, and in the bar area along walls. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed items stored on the floor of the walk in cooler and oil stored on the floor in kitchen. Instructed facility to store all items at least 6 inches off the floor and maintain.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Observed grease accumulation on the exhaust hood filters. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed debris splattered on the wall above the ice machine. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Observed a missing light shield above the three compartment sink. Instructed facility to install and maintain.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed the storage closet across from the men's washroom and the storage room next to the women's washroom to have clutter built up. Instructed facility to remove any unnecessary items, organize remaining, store 6 inches off floor, and maintain.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: Observed foodhandler in the kitchen working without a hair restraint. Instructed facility that all foodhandlers must have hair restraints on.
42
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed ice scoops stored directly in ice. Instructed facility to maintain in a separate and sanitary manner.
43
No smoking regulations
Inspector notes: Upon arrival, observed an employee smoking a cigarette on the patio/outdoor dining area. Instructed facility that there is to be no smoking inside of establishment, on any outdoor seating/patio areas, and must be done at least 15 feet away from establishment. Violation 7-32-015.
70
55
Jul 19, 2017
Routine
13 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: Observed the walk in cooler at a temperature of 52.7f. Tagged cooler held for inspection by CDPH. Instructed not to use. Instructed to repair and maintain at 40f or below. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: Found potentially hazardous foods at improper temperatures in the walk in cooler: 6lbs of mashed potatoes at 51.2f, 1.5lbs of milk at 50.2f, 5lbs of lentil soup at 48.0f, 5lbs of chicken broth at 48.2f, 2lbs of yogurt at 48.7f, 1/2lb of cooked spinach at 50.0f, 3lbs of cream cheese at 50.1f, 1/2lb of salmon at 50.5f, 4lbs of hummus at 47.7f, 1/2lb of hardboiled eggs at 50.2f, 3lbs of cooked pasta at 48.9f, 2lbs of pizza sauce at 50.1f, 2lbs of chicken at 49.5f, 2lbs of turkey at 48.8f, 4lbs of cooked rice at 49.0f, 36lbs of cheese at 51.3f, and 16.5lbs of deli meats at 49.4f. Operator discarded and denatured said foods, valued at $225 (as stated by operator). Instructed to maintain all potentially hazardous foods at 40f or below or 140f or above. Critical violation 7-38-005(a).
3
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: Observed all three exposed handsinks blocked with various cooking and food service utensils. Also observed the bar exposed handsink to be without soap and paper towels. Instructed facility that all exposed handsinks must be accessible at all times with hot and cold running water and soap and paper towels. Facility removed all items during inspection and installed soap and paper towels at the bar handsink. Critical violation 7-38-030.
12
Potentially hazardous food properly thawed
Inspector notes: Observed chicken and seafood thawing at room temperature in the prep area. (Items below 40f). Instructed facility that thawing of frozen food for further processing of use shall be accomplished by storage in a refrigerator at 40�F or less, or by another approved method- Under potable running water at a temperature of 70�F or below, with sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose food particles into the overflow, or In a microwave oven only when the food will be immediately transferred to conventional cooking facilities as part of a continuous cooking process or when the entire, uninterrupted cooking process takes place in the microwave oven. Operator placed under running water at time of inspection. Serious violation 7-38-005(a).
17
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: Observed small fly activity on site: 5 flies in kitchen, 10 flies in bar area, and 25 flies in the storage closet next to the women's washroom. Instructed facility to remove all pests and maintain. Serious violation 7-38-020.
18
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: No chemical (chlorine) test kit on site for low temperature dish machine. Instructed facility to obtain, and maintain appropriate test kit (chlorine) on site. Serious violation 7-38-030.
22
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: Observed dirt and debris on the floors in various areas: behind cooking equipment, on the walk in cooler floor, and in the bar area along walls. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed items stored on the floor of the walk in cooler and oil stored on the floor in kitchen. Instructed facility to store all items at least 6 inches off the floor and maintain.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Observed grease accumulation on the exhaust hood filters. Instructed facility to clean and maintain. Observed debris splattered on the wall above the ice machine. Instructed facility to clean and maintain.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Observed a missing light shield above the three compartment sink. Instructed facility to install and maintain.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Observed a leak under the sink in the closet near the women's washroom. Instructed facility to repair and maintain.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed the storage closet across from the men's washroom and the storage room next to the women's washroom to have clutter built up. Instructed facility to remove any unnecessary items, organize remaining, store 6 inches off floor, and maintain.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: Observed foodhandler in the kitchen working without a hair restraint. Instructed facility that all foodhandlers must have hair restraints on.
42
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed ice scoops stored directly in ice. Instructed facility to maintain in a separate and sanitary manner.
43
52
Aug 26, 2016
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD ALONG THE HALLWAY TO WASHROOMS.
34
95
Aug 18, 2016
License
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FOUND WALK-IN COOLER NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER, ALL COOLERS MUST MAINTAIN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 40F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (A)
2
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: FOUND LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME. A MECHANICAL DISH WASHING MACHINES SHOULD PROVIDE A FINAL SANITIZING RINSE OF EITHER 50 ? 100 PPM CHLORINE (FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZING MACHINE) OR 180F FINAL RINSE (FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING MACHINE). MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF 25 PPM AT 120F, 50 PPM AT 75F, 100 PPM AT 55F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
8
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER EQUIPPED WITH SOAP AND HAND DRYING DEVICE OR PAPER TOWEL BEHIND THE BAR AND EXPOSED HAND SINK NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK (DISH WASHING AREA) IN REAR AREA. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030
11
Dish machines: provided with accurate thermometers, chemical test kits and suitable gauge cock
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHEMICAL SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. 7-38-030
22
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PAINT OR SEAL RAW WOOD BEHIND ELECTRIC PANEL IN PREP/COOKING AREA.
32
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR BROKEN RUBBER GASKET AROUND WALK-IN COOLER DOOR IN PREP/COOKING AREA.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FLOOR BASEBOARD AROUND/BEHIND BAR AREA. MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD TILE UNDERNEATH EXPOSED HAND SINK IN PREP AREA AND MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR BASEBOARD ALONG THE HALLWAY TO WASHROOMS.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR FAUCET NECK WITH HEAVY LEAK AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN PREP AREA.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETER VISIBLE INSIDE ALL COOLERS.
40
64

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Avalon Bar & Grill last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Avalon Bar & Grill on file is from Jul 27, 2017. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Avalon Bar & Grill?

Across the inspection record, “hand washing facilities” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Avalon Bar & Grill.

Has Avalon Bar & Grill's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Avalon Bar & Grill have averaged around 12 violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Avalon Bar & Grill means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.