Happy Chinese Kitchen
Last inspected: Aug 27, 2019
95
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Happy Chinese Kitchen, the earliest from 2014. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 27, 2019. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit. Note that Happy Chinese Kitchen's inspection history hasn't been updated since Aug 27, 2019; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around six violations per visit lately, up from roughly four violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “non-food/food contact surfaces clean”, showing up three times.
Among Chicago restaurants, the typical score is 81; Happy Chinese Kitchen is comfortably above that bar. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 27, 2019
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN CAN OPENER AT PREP TABLE AND MAINTAIN.
49
95
Jun 13, 2019
Complaint
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING IN NEED OF CLEANING: EXTERIOR SURFACES OF FRYERS NEED CLEANING TO REMOVE GREASE AND CAN OPENER BLADE AT PREP TABLE.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER FRYERS AND OTHER COOKING EQUIPMENT.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT.
56
82
Dec 27, 2018
Complaint
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Food separated and protected
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PRODUCE (CELERY, CARROTS, ETC.) STORED IN CARDBOARD BOXES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY USED TO STORE RAW CHICKEN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE READY-TO-EAT FOOD SO AS NOT TO CROSS CONTAMINATE IT WITH RAW FOODS. PRIORITY 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
15
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE WASH AND RINSE DISHES IN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT SANITIZING THEM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO PROPERLY SET UP THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE DISHES AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.
16
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER AND IN THE PREP AREA. OBSERVED PORK AT 45.9F INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER. OBSERVED SHRIMP AT 46.6F IN A BUCKET OF WATER NEXT TO THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 20# OF FOOD WORTH $50. PRIORITY 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
22
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN UP PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK NOT DRAINING WATER AFTER USAGE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE HANDWASHING SINK AND MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL ALL FOOD IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FOOD OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WET WIPING CLOTHS IN A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TONGS STORED IMPROPERLY IN THE CONTAINER OF SHRIMP IN THE PREP COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE THE TONGS WITH THE HANDLE ABOVE THE FOOD AND CONTAINER.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TAKE OUT CONTAINERS NOT STORED INVERTED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO COVER OR STORE INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
45
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS, INTERIOR OF PREP COOLERS, PREP TABLES, WOK STATION, STORAGE SHELVES AND WIRE STORAGE RACKS, CAN OPENER BLADE.
49
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING.
58
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SHRIMP BEING IMPROPERLY THAWED IN A BUCKET OF WATER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW FROZEN FOOD ITEMS.
35
33
Aug 14, 2017
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: Observed 1.5 lbs of egg rolls stored at room temperature, improperly, 81.2 degrees at cook line station. Observed 2 lbs of bean sprouts stored at improper temperature 51.2 degrees in two door cooler near cook line. Instructed operator that all potentially hazardous foods need to be stored at 40 degrees or lower for cold foods and 140 degrees or higher for hot foods. Operator discarded and denatured product during time of inspection. Total weight of 3.5 lbs and total value is $10.00. Critical Violation # 7-38-005 (A)
3
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: Observed outside garbage dumpster not maintained with over flowing trash. Instructed operator to ensure that garbage dumpster is maintained and pest proof and with tight fitting lids. Operator corrected violation during inspection. Serious Violation # 7-38-020
19
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: Observed food stored in non food grade grocery bags in the following areas: walk in cooler, front 2 door cooler and freezer. Instructed operator to store food in fda food grade approved containers and bags.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Observed cardboard lining in the following areas: rear prep table shelving, walk in cooler floor and front cook line shelving. Instructed operator to remove cardboard and to ensure that all surfaces are smooth/flat and easily cleanable.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: Observed food and debris on walls in the following areas: utility sink and hand washing sink, in rear of operation. Instructed operator to clean and maintain said areas.
35
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed bulk food containers stored on the floor, in walk in cooler. Instructed operator to elevate items at least 6 inches off the floor, at all times.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed wiping cloths stored and sitting on counters and tables throughout operation. Instructed operator to store wiping cloths in sanitizing buckets with properly sanitizing solution.
43
70
Apr 12, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST REFRAIN FROM USING FOOD GRADE BAGS FOR STORAGE; INSTRUCTED TO USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS ONLY.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: BOTTOMS OF PREP TABLES, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FLOOR AND FLOOR DRAIN UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT.
34
86
Sep 23, 2015
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 ROOM DOR NOT SELF CLOSING, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
37
95
Oct 7, 2014
Routine
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Happy Chinese Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Happy Chinese Kitchen on file is from Aug 27, 2019. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Happy Chinese Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Happy Chinese Kitchen.
Has Happy Chinese Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Happy Chinese Kitchen have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Happy Chinese Kitchen 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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