Masala
Last inspected: Aug 29, 2013
78
Score
Masala has been inspected six times since 2010. The most recent report on file is from Aug 29, 2013. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit. Public records show no inspections at Masala since Aug 29, 2013, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean”, which has been cited five times.
Restaurants in Chicago average 81, so Masala trails the local norm. The record reflects steady performance over time.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 29, 2013
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN STORAGE AREA. MUST LABEL BULK CONTAINERS.
30
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT/FOOD STAINS ON WALLS/CEILING AT PREP AREA. MUST PAINT/CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN WALLS/CEILING AT PREP AREA.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: CEILING LIGHT BULBS MISSING (X4) ABOVE PREP AERA. MUST REPAIR/PROVIDE WORKING LIGHT BULBS ABOVE PREP AREA.
36
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUSTS PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINT FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
42
78
Jul 23, 2012
Complaint
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: SEE REPORT DATED ON 05/16/12
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: SEE REPORT DATED ON 05/16/12
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SEE REPORT DATED ON 05/16/12
34
86
May 16, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: PREP COOLER DOOR RUBBET GASKETS RIPPED (ALONG COOKLINE). MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED GASKETS.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVES AND ON EXTERIOR OF EQUIPMENT(COOLERS, SINKS, COOKING UNITS) IN KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/GREASE BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN KITCHEN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
34
86
Dec 23, 2011
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 44F, CREAM CHEESE AT 44F, AND SHELL EGGS AT 43F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 40# OF FOOD WORTH $62. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING AND RINSING DISHES WITHOUT SANITIZING THEM. NO CHLORINE WAS DETECTED IN THE SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. I SHOWED THE MANAGER AND EMPLOYEES HOW TO PROPERLY SET UP THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE DISHES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
8
* 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 CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN AND RICE) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
21
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. PROVIDE A TOILET TANK COVER FOR THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM TOILET. REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM THE STORAGE SHELVES.
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. DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS, STORAGE SHELVES IN THE PREP AREA.
33
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. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL OF THE REFRIGERATORS.
40
74
Nov 29, 2010
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 24, 2010
License
7 minor violations.
View 7 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. MUST PROVIDE STORAGE RACKS OR SHELVES FOR THE WALK-IN COOLER.
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. MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLER.
33
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. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.
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. OBSERVED RUSTED WALLS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. SCRAPE RUST AND REPAINT WALLS.
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. LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS ARE NEEDED IN THE PREP AREA. A LIGHT SHIELD IS NEEDED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
36
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. NO VENTILATION FAN IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST INSTALL.
37
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: THE DRAIN LINE UNDER THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IS LEAKING WATER. MUST REPAIR.
38
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Masala last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Masala on file is from Aug 29, 2013. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Masala?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Masala.
Has Masala's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Masala have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Masala 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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