Lai Lai Restaurant
Last inspected: Nov 9, 2016
90
Score
Lai Lai Restaurant has been inspected 11 times since 2010. On Nov 9, 2016, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues. Lai Lai Restaurant's record stops at Nov 9, 2016, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been the most frequent reason, cited nine times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 9, 2016
Reinspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS IN BASEMENT DISH WASHING AREA NOT CLEAN AT DOORWAY.MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHTS NOT SHIELDED IN CELING OF BASEMENT DISH WASHING ROOM.MUST INSTALL.
36
90
Oct 31, 2016
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND APPROX 15-LBS OF RAW CHICKEN INSIDE BASEMENT WALK IN COOLER MAINTAINED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 51.0F,52.1F. MUST MANTAIN COLD FOODS AT 40.0F OR BELOW. MANAGER REMOVED CHICKEN AND DISCARDED APPROX COST $25.00.CRITICAL VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-005A.
3
Previous minor violation(s) corrected 7-42-090
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS STILL EXIST FROM LAST INSPECTION REPORT #1684294 DATED 3-28-2016,#35- MUST INSTALL MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT,#38- FAUCET NECK AT 3- COMP IN BASEMENT LEAKY AND PIPE UNDER EXPOSED HAND SINK LEAKING.MUST REPAIR BOTH. SERIOUS VOLATION ISSUED 7-42-090
29
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WALLS IN BASEMENT DISH WASHING AREA NOT CLEAN AT DOORWAY.MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHTS NOT SHIELDED IN CELING OF BASEMENT DISH WASHING ROOM.MUST INSTALL.
36
82
Mar 28, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MISSING CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT AREA.MUST INSTALL.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: FAUCET NECK AT 3- COMP IN BASEMENT LEAKY,AND PIPE UNDER EXPOSED HAND SINK LEAKING.MUST REPAIR BOTH.
38
90
Oct 29, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS IN CONTAINERS SITTING ON AND UNDER A PREP TABLE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES; 15LBS OF CHICKEN AT THE IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 65.5F-85.6F VALUED AT $400, 1/2LBS OF SHRIMP AT 52.6F VALUED AT $21, 30LBS OF RICE AT 78.5F VALUED AT $80. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID ITEMS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING USED AS A SHELF AND FLOOR LINER, INSTRUCTED TO NOT REUSE CARDBOARD ALL SURFACES SHOULD BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. OBSERVED RUSTY SHELVING IN THE WALK IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD IN THE FOOD PREP AREA ACROSS FROM COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FLOORS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND WALK IN COOLER IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK AT THE FAUCET AND FAR LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED NEXT TO COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN THE REFRIGERATOR, WALK IN COOLER AND IN ALL PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE IN ALL REFRIGERATION AND MAINTAIN.
40
74
Nov 17, 2014
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FLOOR OF WALK-IN COOLER IN BASEMENT IN POOR REPAIR, RUSTED OUT. MUST REPAIR. CLEAN FLOOR IN KITCHEN AND IN BASEMENT.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: REPAIR/REPLACE WATER DAMAGED/MISSING CEILING TILES WHERE NECESSARY ON PREMISES AND IN BASEMENT.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: REPLACE BLOWN LIGHT BULBS AT CEILING IN BASEMENT AND MISSING LIGHT PANELS.
36
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER IN THE FORM OF CARDBOARD BOXES IN BASEMENT AREA MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
82
Apr 18, 2014
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: CLEAN/SANITIZE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR PREP AREA.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN PREP AREA ON IST FLOOR AND BEHIND CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER. CLEAN/SANITIZE FLOOR OF BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER/FREEZER.
34
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: LIGHT SHIELD MISSING IN BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAK AT BACK OF FAUCET OF BASEMENT 3-COMP SINK. MUST REPAIR.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS IN BASEMENT PREP AREA ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
41
78
Jun 4, 2013
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED IN FOOD GRADE BAGS IN THE FREEZER(VEGETABLES, BEEF AND CHICKEN). MUST PROPERLY LABEL LARGE GREY CONTAINERS LOCATED IN THE KITCHEN ON THE 1ST FLOOR CONTAINING WHITE FLOUR, SUGAR AND RICE AT ALL TIMES.
30
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILES IN THE BASEMENT ABOVE THE DRY STORAGE AREA.
35
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST REATTACH WALL COUVING LOCATED NEXT TO UPRIGHT COCA-COLA REFRIGERATOR IN THE CUSTOMER DINING AREA SO AS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST TIGHTEN LEAKY HOT WATER FAUCET HANDLE BASE AT 1COMP SINK IN KITCHEN AREA.
38
82
Oct 19, 2012
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES MUST BE REPLACED.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: FOLLOWING NEED CLEANING: FAN GUARDS OF MOST COOLERS, GASKETS OF COOLER DOORS, & WALK-IN COOLER SHELVES-DUE TO DUST/FOOD DEBRIS OR DIRT.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA, PEELING BASEBOARD UNDER BASEMENT HANDSINK, CEILING ROUND CONDENSER OF WALK-IN COOLER MUST BE CLEANED & MAINTAINED.
35
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST HAVE HAIR RESTRAINTS AROUND OPEN FOOD.
42
78
Jun 10, 2011
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. FRONT PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR GASKETS RIPPED AT KOREAN EXPRESS SIDE. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL DAMAGED COOLERS GASKETS.
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. PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS DOOR GASKETS WITH DIRT/FOOD BUILD UP. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN COOLER GASKETS.
33
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. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND BASEMENT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALL.
35
86
Sep 3, 2010
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST PROVIDE MISSING LIGHT COVER INSIDE HOOD OF COOKING EWUIPMENT.
36
95
Jun 11, 2010
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
* 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 one on premises with a City of Chgo sanitation certificate/prrof of enrollment or reciprocity. Must have at all times food is handled, cooked,served,-a city certified manager on site to oversee flow of food.
21
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. Any knives/scissors must be stored in a clean/dry place (not between wall & splashguard of sink).
31
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. Heavy dust/grease build-up on interior attachments to hood of cooking equipment must be cleaned & mainatined.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. Must provide missing light cover in hood of cooking equipment.
36
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lai Lai Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lai Lai Restaurant on file is from Nov 9, 2016. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lai Lai Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code” has been cited nine times, more than any other issue at Lai Lai Restaurant.
Has Lai Lai Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Lai Lai Restaurant have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Lai Lai Restaurant 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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