La Havana Cafe
Last inspected: May 31, 2016
67
Score
La Havana Cafe appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2010. Inspectors last stopped by on May 31, 2016. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe. La Havana Cafe's record stops at May 31, 2016, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around five violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.
Across the inspection history, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
By comparison, the average Chicago facility scores 81, putting La Havana Cafe on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 31, 2016
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES: FOUND CUBAN SANDWICHES(SLICED COOKED PORK, HAM AND SWISS CHEESE AT TEMP OF 73.8F-75.6-77.8F TO 81.1F),STORED ON TOP THE SHELF ABOVE THE STEAM TABLE; A WHOLE PIECE OF COOKED PORK STORED ON SHELF ABOVE THE STEAM TABLE AT TEMP OF 45.5F TO 51.2F. HOT FOOD MUST 140F AND ABOVE, COLD FOOD 40F AND BELOW. FOUND A PACKAGE OF SLICED HAM INSIDE THE SMALL COOLER AT TEMP OF 57.6F. COOLER UNIT MAINTAIN TEMP OF 35.7F. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUNDS 25 , VALUE $200. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
3
Sewage and waste water disposal, no back siphonage, cross connection and/or back flow
Inspector notes: FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS CLOGGED ,FULL OF WASTE WATER. UNABLE TO USE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK DUE TO WATER BACKING UP ONTO FLOOR IN DISH ROOM AND PREP AREA/KITCHEN WHICH PRESENTLY IS IN USE. PLUMBER REPORTED ON PREMISES AT 2:50PM TO CORRECT. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030.
10
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: FOUND EXPOSED HAND SINK AT FRONT PREP AREA/BAR WITHOUT SOAP.EXPOSED HAND SINK IN KITCHEN/DISHROOM WITHOUT PAPER. ALSO AT SAID SINK UTENSILS AND A CONTAINER WAS STORED IN IT,PERSONALLY REMOVE THEM.SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS WAS PROVIDED UPON OUR REQUEST(SANITATIAN AND SUPERVISOR). SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS MUST BE PROVIDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK AT ALL TIMES FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-030
12
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: UTENSILS(TEASPOONS) STORED ON TOP THE FRONT COUNTER MUST BE INVERTED.OBSERVED ICE SCOOP NOT PROTECTED,STORED ON TOP THE SHELF BY PAPER AND NOTE BOOKS. MUST PROVIDE AN ENCLOSED ICE SCOOP CONTAINER
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: GRIME AND MINERAL DEPOSIT BUILD-UP INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE,INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. FOOD SPILLAGE AND DEBRIS ON KITCHEN SHELVES, BOXES AND CONTAINERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR BESIDE AND BEHIND THE ICE MACHINE WITH DEBRIS ,ALSO UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER/BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT..INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: ACCUMULATED GREASE AND DUST IN VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: WATER PIPE UNDER THE EXPOSED HAND SINK AT FRONT PREP/BAR AREA IS LEAKING.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
38
67
Nov 3, 2015
Reinspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
95
Oct 29, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BASEMENT REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED. DOOR HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH OPENING ON THE BOTTOM DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
18
Outside garbage waste grease and storage area; clean, rodent proof, all containers covered
Inspector notes: PREMISES DOES NOT HAVE A GARBAGE DUMPSTER.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION. 7-38-020.
19
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE FRONT BAR AND MUST REMOVE RESIDUE AND MINERAL DEPOSITS. DETAIL CLEAN SODA GUNS/HOLDERS. REMOVE DIRT. DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR PANELS OF ICE MACHINE AT FRONT BAR.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED UNFINISH CEILING IN BASEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR. CEILING MUST BE SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES. MUST REPAIR BASEBOARD AROUND WALL AT THE FRONT BAR STORAGE ROOM.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AT FRONT BAR AREA DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
45
74
May 9, 2012
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Apr 27, 2012
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOUND THE LARGE STANDING ICE MACHINE INTERIOR HAS LIME AND BLACK MOLD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE UNIT. SERIOUS CITATION GIVEN 7-38-005(A).
16
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: FRONT DOOR NEEDS TO BE REPAIR
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DEFROST AND CLEAN THE REACHIN CHEST FREEZER SOME ICD BUILDUP.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: BASEMENT HAS DIRT BUILD UP NEEDS TO BE CLEAN UP. OUTSIDE YARD LEADING TO BASEMENT NEEDS TO BE CLEAN.HAS LARGE WEEDS ECT
41
82
Apr 12, 2012
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 17, 2010
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 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.COUNTERTOP SHELVING IN KITCHEN WERE MULTI-USE PLATES ARE STORED MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE.
32
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.MUST SEAL OPENING ON NORTH WALL IN BASEMENT AREA.
35
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 DETAIL VENTILATION COVERS IN TOILET ROOMS TO REMOVE DUST-BUILD UP.
38
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 PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM KITCHEN AREAS,ALL CLEANING EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY STORED IN DESIGNATED AREA.
41
82
Mar 12, 2010
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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 THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT REQUIRE A DETAIL CLEANING,SEAL NOTED OPENINGS ON FLOOR ALONG REAR DOOR.
34
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.MUST SEAL ALL NOTICEABLE OPENINGS ON WALLS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT ESPECIALY ALONG EAST WALL BEHIND HOT WATER TANK LOCATION.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.FOUND NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MONITORING FOOD TEMPERATURES.
40
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.REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM BASEMENT,REAR OF PREMISES.
41
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Havana Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Havana Cafe on file is from May 31, 2016. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Havana Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Havana Cafe.
Has La Havana Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Havana Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Havana Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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