Habana Libre
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2019
47
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Habana Libre, the earliest from 2010. Habana Libre was last inspected on Apr 15, 2019. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important. The most recent inspection at Habana Libre is from Apr 15, 2019, and nothing newer appears in the public record.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
Looking across the full record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” is the recurring theme, flagged seven times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2019
Routine
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE DATE MARKINGS TO TCS/RTE FOODS, PREPARED ONSITE AND HELD IN COOLERS OVER 24 HRS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSUME BY DATES AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A METAL STEM THERMOMETER ONSITE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF HOT OR COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
36
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO CLEAN UP KIT OR PROCEDURES ONSITE FOR VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE KIT AND POST PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 , INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY BY 10/30/18 AT LAST INSPECTION. STILL NON-COMPLIANT. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH FORM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY BY 10/30/18, AT LAST INSPECTION. STILL NON-COMPLIANT. CITATION ISSUED.
3
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM STORAGE RACKS IN WALK IN COOLER, SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3-COMP SINK IN REAR AND BEHIND THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER. ALSO, INSTALL SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE HAND SINK AND THE PREP TABLE (AT THE ENTRANCE DOOR) IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMP SINK IN REAR, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN DRIED FOOD DEBRIS FROM FLOORS UNDER HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS, AND FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE OR ORGANIZE UNNECESSARY CLUTTER FROM BEHIND THE FRONT SERVICE COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR TILES BEHIND FRONT SERVICE COUNTER, AND NEAR FRONT WINDOW IN CUSTOMER SEATING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE.
58
47
Jul 30, 2018
Routine
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
5
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: OBSERVED MENU WITHOUT A REMINDER AND DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNCOOKED ANIMAL-BASED FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY
25
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN TRAINING REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS TO COMPLY.
58
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAYS GIVEN TO COMPLY.
3
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BAG CONTAINING FOOD ITEMS STORED ON THE FLOOR OF THE WASHROOM HALLWAY. FOOD MANAGER WAS INFORMED OF IMPROPER STORAGE USE. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE FOOD ITEMS AT ALL TIMES.
39
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTS, PANS AND EATING UTENSIL NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO INVERT POTS, PANS AND UTENSILS AFTER SANITIZING AND AIR DRYING.
44
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE MINI FREEZER LOCATED NEAR THE ENTRANCE OF THE KITCHEN IN NEED OF DEFROSTING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROST BUILDUP ON THE SHELVES AND MAINTAIN.
47
58
Jun 12, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: NOTED PRECOOKED AND PREPARED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE REACH IN COOLER NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED ON PROPER LABELING WITH THE NAME AND DATE(FIFO).
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT DISHES ABOVE PREP STATION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
31
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE SPILLS AND/OR DEBRIS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOORS UNDERNEATH THE FRYERS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE.
34
82
Sep 26, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: FOUND COOKED RICE STORED IN A PLASTIC GROCERY BAG IN THE HOT HOLDING UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM BAG AND STORE IN A CONTAINER/PAN, ETC. MAINTAIN SAME.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO SAND OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARD WITH THE DEEP, DARK GROOVES IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE EXCESS ICE BUILD UP FROM BOTH OF THE CHEST REACH IN FREEZER IN THE REAR PREP AND STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE WORN GASKETS ON THE WALK IN COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE THE RUST FROM THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE ICE MACHINE. MAINTAIN ALL.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE RUBBER GASKETS ON THE REACH IN COOLERS, THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE AND DEEP FRYERS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS ALONG THE WALLBASE, UNDER/AROUND THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND IN ALL CORNERS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE HALLWAY IN FRONT OF THE TOILET ROOMS. MAINTAIN SAME.
35
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WASH CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES IN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
74
Oct 15, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAK AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATERS ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
45
90
Dec 4, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: DEFROST UPRIGHT FREEZER IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET ON REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE ADEQUATE SINK STOPPERS.
38
90
Mar 19, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE RUST DEPOSITS INSIDE ICE MACHINE.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR KITCHEN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. REMOVE COFFEE WASTE LINE FROM FRONT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND PROPERLY CONNECT TO FLOOR DRAIN.
38
90
Apr 30, 2013
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 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 surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Exposed handsink installed next to equipment in prep area. Instructed to install shield along side of sink.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: Cooking equipment, exhaust hood and filters 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 behind cooking equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Light covers in prep area not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean.
35
78
Jan 20, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE RUSTY CHEST FREEZER STORED IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM.
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. DETAIL CLEAN,MAINTAIN FAN COVERS INSIDE THE 2 DOOR COOLER IN KITCHEN.
33
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. MUST REPAIR WATER LEAKING AT BASE OF FAUCET 3 COMP SINK AREA.
38
86
Jan 10, 2011
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
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. MUST REPAINT CHIPPING WOOD SHELVES IN DRY STORAGE AREA
32
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. MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS
38
90
May 21, 2010
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: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS IN KITCHEN NOT INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.
31
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.RELACE/REPAIR RUSTY SHELVES IN 3 DOOR COOLER,WOODEN SHELVES IN DRY STORAGE USE A NON-TOXIC FINISH.
32
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 ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS ESPECIALLY BACK ROOM,BASEMENT REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER,ELEVATE ALL STORED ARTICLES 6" OOF FLOOR.
41
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Habana Libre last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Habana Libre on file is from Apr 15, 2019. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Habana Libre?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Habana Libre.
Has Habana Libre's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Habana Libre have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Habana Libre means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
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