Kite String Cantina
Last inspected: Jul 8, 2024
90
Score
Going back to 2016, Kite String Cantina has 12 inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Jul 8, 2024. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded 10 times.
Compared to the broader Chicago restaurant scene, where the average is 81, this is a stronger showing. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 8, 2024
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11--- NOTED UNEVEN, POROUS, RAW BRICK BEHIND THE BAR AT THE BEER TAPS. BRICK NOTED WITH SPLASHING STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: 6-304.11--- NOTED INOPERABLE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE SOUTH WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE.
56
90
Jul 2, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED INADEQUATE HOT WATER AT THE WASHBOWL OF THE SOUTH WASHROOM. MAXIMUM HOT WATER NOTED AT 89.4F. INSTRUCTED HOT WATER MUST BE MAINTAINED AT A MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 100F. ADEQUATE HOT WATER FOUND AT ALL OTHER WASHBOWLS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: NOTED THE BAR HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. SINK NOTED WITH A STRAINER INSIDE AND BEING USED AS A SLOP/DUMP SINK. REVIEWED THAT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS ARE FOR HAND WASHING PURPOSES ONLY. MANAGEMENT REMOVED STRAINER FROM THE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.
10
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: PRE-PACKAGED PREPARED CHIPS FOR GRAB AND GO SALE MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND LIST OF INGREDIENTS.
37
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: FRONT ENTRANCE/EXIT DOOR UNABLE TO COMPLETELY CLOSE WITH AN OPEN GAP ON THE SIDE AND BOTTOM OF DOOR. MUST REPAIR TO PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE DOOR ON ALL SIDES.----OPEN 2 INCH GAP UNDER THE LOCKED BASEMENT DOOR LEADING TO AN AREA OF NO ACCESS TO THE BASEMENT MAINTAINED BY THE LANDLORD. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.
38
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.----MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD AS LINER UNDER THE BASEMENT TALL REACH-IN FREEZER OR CARDBOARD UNDER THE LEGS OF THE BASEMENT METAL RACK STORAGE SHELVING.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A ONE COMPARTMENT PREP/SLOP SINK BEHIND THE BAR WHERE NEEDED.
51
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: CEILING VENT IN THE SOUTH WASHROOM WITH EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED UNEVEN, POROUS, RAW BRICK BEHIND THE BAR AT THE BEER TAPS. BRICK NOTED WITH SPLASHING STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.-----INTERIOR WALLS AND SURFACES IN THE UTILITY MOP SINK CLOSET NOTED DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.----NOTED RAW WOODEN 2X4 WALL MOUNT BEHIND THE KITCHEN PREP TABLE WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE. MUST CLEAN, PAINT/SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.-----MISSING CEILING TILE IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED INOPERABLE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN BOTH WASHROOMS. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES PERSONAL BELONGINGS IE: BACKPACKS, MUST NOT BE STORED IN THE BAR AREA WHERE DRINKS ARE PREPARED. MANAGER REMOVED.
56
52
Jun 14, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENTS ESPECIALLY AT THE KITCHEN AND WHERE EVER NEEDED.
56
95
Aug 23, 2022
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS, INCLUDING THE SELF-SERVED COLD HOLDING UNIT IN THE FRONT DINING AREA NOT EQUIPPED WITH THERMOMETERS TO MEASURE THE UNITS AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL COLD HOLD UNITS WITH WORKING AND ACCURATE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BULK DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT LABELED WITH THE FOOD ITEMS COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
37
86
Aug 16, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 04/15/2021, REPORT #2500280 #55 INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER, ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA. #56 NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS. #56 NOTED BLOWN OUT BULB INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT BULB WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED
60
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS, INCLUDING THE SELF-SERVED COLD HOLDING UNIT IN THE FRONT DINING AREA NOT EQUIPPED WITH THERMOMETERS TO MEASURE THE UNITS AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL COLD HOLD UNITS WITH WORKING AND ACCURATE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A BULK DRY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT LABELED WITH THE FOOD ITEMS COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
37
78
Apr 15, 2021
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: NOTED A VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE (NON COMMERCIAL) ON SITE AND ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AND REFRIGERATION UNIT VACUUM PACKAGED WITH NO PROOF OF HACCP OR VARIANCE PER HEALTH CODE REQUIREMENT AND DATED WITH USE BY DATE LONGER THAN 48 HOURS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT DISCONTINUE THE VACUUM PACKAGING PROCESS UNTIL A VARIANCE AND HACCP ARE APPROVED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE FOOD ITEMS THAT WAS VACUUM PACKAGED WAS ALSO TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION DUCK THIGHS ABOUT 6 LBS PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED
29
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO VARIANCE/HACCP PLAN APPROVAL ON SITE FOR REDUCE OXIGEN PACKING OF TCS FOOD DUCK THIGHS. MUST BE OBTAINED A HACCP PLAN/VARIANCE.TAGGED MACHINE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE MACHINE NOR VACUUM SEAL FOODS UNTIL HACCP PLAN/VARIANCE IS SUBMITTED TO CDPH AND APPROVAL GRANTED FROM CDPDH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005 CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION #29.
32
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER, ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP/DRY STORAGE AREA.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.
56
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: NOTED BLOWN OUT BULB INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT BULB WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING.
56
67
Aug 17, 2020
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AREAS OF THE INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN IN THE BASEMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE INCH OPENING ON SIDE EXIT DOOR. MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
38
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENT AND HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
39
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED AT THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS A LINER FOR WALLS ON COOKS LINE. MUST REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ITEMS STORED UNDERNEATH FOOD STORAGE SHELVING NOT ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR IN BASEMENT. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND INSIDE WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
70
Jun 24, 2019
Reinspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.11 MOLDY CAULKING AROUND THE ATTACHED SPLASH GUARDS AND FAUCET OF THE BASEMENT HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REPLACE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.13 BASEBOARD COVING AT THE BASEMENT FREEZER AREA NOTED PEELING FROM THE WALL. MUST REPLACE/RE-SEAL. : 6-501.114 ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA MUST BE ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE NEW CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
86
Jun 14, 2019
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE THROUGHOUT THE ICE/WATER CONTACT AREAS IN THE UPPER RESERVOIR AND LOWER BIN OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS OF ICE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
16
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: PREPARED BULK LIQUIDS IN BASEMENT BAR SMALL WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE LABELED WITH PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
37
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MOLDY CAULKING AROUND THE ATTACHED SPLASH GUARDS AND FAUCET OF THE BASEMENT HAND WASHING SINK. MUST REPLACE.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE REAR BASEMENT STORAGE AREA MUST BE ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: BASEBOARD COVING AT THE BASEMENT FREEZER AREA NOTED PEELING FROM THE WALL. MUST REPLACE/RE-SEAL.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE NEW CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
58
70
Sep 20, 2018
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: 3-501.16(A)(2) FOUND TCS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: 10# OF COOKED CHICKEN AT TEMP OF 56.4F TO 58.4F. TCS FOOD WAS STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN TEMP OF 41F AND BELOW. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED BY THE MANAGER.POUNDS 10,VALUE 60. PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-005,CITATION ISSUED - COS
22
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(A)-OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION#: 7-38-012(A) NO CITATION ISSUED
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY IN PLACE AND KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED -
5
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17(A) ALL PREPARED FOODS IN COOLERS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH PRODUCT NAME, PREPARATION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE WITHIN 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
23
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE
58
61
Apr 18, 2017
Complaint
No violations found.
100
Jul 12, 2016
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kite String Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Kite String Cantina on file is from Jul 8, 2024. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Kite String Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited 10 times, more than any other issue at Kite String Cantina.
Has Kite String Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Kite String Cantina have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Kite String Cantina means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Kite String Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Kite String Cantina is inspected around two times per year on average.
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