Istria Cafe

5030 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 7, 2012

Score

Medium Risk

Istria Cafe appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2010. The most recent visit was on Feb 7, 2012. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. Istria Cafe's record stops at Feb 7, 2012, 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 zero violations to closer to eight violations.

“Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting Istria Cafe on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 7, 2012

Routine

8 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. LABEL ALL CONTAINERS AT SELF-SERVICE CONDIMENT COUNTER.

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. REMOVE SOILED TOWEL AND MAT UNDER CLEAN GLASSES AND CUPS BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. PROPERLY STORE AND INVERT ALL CLEAN PLATES, GLASSES, CUPS, ETC TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

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. CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE, SINKS, COUNTERS, PREP TABLES, BEVERAGE MACHINES.

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. CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. REMOVE EXCESS COFFEE BEANS, GROUNDS, AND DEBRIS BETWEEN PASTRY DISPLAY CASE, UNDER REGISTERS, BEHIND FRONT COUNTER, ETC.

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. CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS, CEILING TILES, DUCT EQUIPMENT, WALLS AND CEILINGS IN PREP AND DINING AREAS (DUST BUILDUP). CLEAN AND PAINT WALLS UNDER FRONT COUNTER NEAR GELATO FREEZER AND IN REAR PREP AREA.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector notes: STOR MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn

Inspector notes: All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector notes: Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination. PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOP AND GELATO DISPENSING UTENSILS IN SEPARATE CONTAINER TO MINIMIZE BARE HAND CONTACT. STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION.

Sep 27, 2010

Complaint

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served

Inspector notes: A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MUST PROVIDE. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012. (COLD CUT SANDWICHES,ETC)

Jul 23, 2010

Reinspection

No violations found.

100

Jul 13, 2010

Complaint

6 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

Inspector notes: FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING STORAGE. NOTED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE WITH A SHINNY SUBSTANCE OF THE DEFLECTOR, DRIPPING WATER ONTO ICE IN THE ICE BIN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF THE ALL ICE AND TO DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE, TO USE BAG ICE FOR NOW.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT UNDER AND BEHIND ALL EQUIPTMENT, SHELVES MOVEABLE EQUIPTMENT AND CORNERS, ALONG WALLS THROUGHOUT.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector notes: SEAL ALL HOLES ON WALLS THROUGHOUT AND DETAIL CLEAN ALL CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT, REMOVING ALL DUST, ALSO PAINT WALLS WHERE NEEDED.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector notes: VENT COVERS NOT CLEAN, CLEAN SAME

Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous

Inspector notes: PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS/FREEZERS AT THE WARMEST SPOT OF CDOOLERS/FREEZERS.

Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn

Inspector notes: All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Istria Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Istria Cafe on file is from Feb 7, 2012. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Istria Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Istria Cafe.

Has Istria Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Istria Cafe have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly zero earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Bridgeport Coffee Hyde Park

Glorious Confectionery

1551 E Hyde Park Blvd

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Chicago → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Chicago