Nola Cafe & Bar
Last inspected: Jun 21, 2022
82
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Nola Cafe & Bar stretching back to 2016. The most recent report on file is from Jun 21, 2022. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues. The file hasn't been updated since Jun 21, 2022, so take the current picture with that in mind.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to four violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean”, showing up seven times.
Among Chicago restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jun 21, 2022
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND THE BAR WITH NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD HOLDING UNITS BEHIND THE NEWLY BUILT BAR AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.
36
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SAID EQUIPMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA (UNDER THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER AND ON THE SIDES OF ALL THE EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD, INTERIOR OF DEEP FRYERS) WITH GREASE BUILD-UP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND FLOUR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SAID EQUIPMENT AND FLOORS.
55
82
Jun 14, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BLACK AND PINK DIRT AND SLIME BUILD UP INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO THE ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND DISCARD ICE INSIDE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.
16
Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TWO CUTTING BOARDS STORED BEHIND THE ONE-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET HEAD IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS TO AVOID CONTAMINATING EQUIPMENT.
44
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE COLD HOLDING UNITS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SAID EQUIPMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AREA (UNDER THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK AND UNDER AND ON THE SIDES OF ALL THE EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD, INTERIOR OF DEEP FRYERS) WITH GREASE BUILD-UP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND FLOUR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SAID EQUIPMENT AND FLOORS.
55
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED A HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND THE BAR WITH NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED COLD HOLDING UNITS BEHIND THE NEWLY BUILT BAR AND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT THERMOMETERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.
36
70
Jan 28, 2022
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED FISH FILLET IN STANDING WATER INSIDE IN THE PREP SINK THAWING. THE MANAGER STATED THAT THE FISH WAS THAWING. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF DEFROSTING FOOD:- EITHER UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT. PRODUCT TEMPERATURE WAS ADEQUATE AT THE TIME.
35
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME, INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION, ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH NO WATER STOPPERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE MISSING STOPPERS.
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS FOOD STORED INSIDE TIN CANS AT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PROPERLY TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD-GRADE CONTAINERS.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE MICROWAVE, FLOORS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS, AND SERVICE COOLERS WITH DIRT, DEBRIS, FOOD CRUMBS, ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN PREP. MUST UPGRADE HOUSEKEEPING.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA ON SHELVES, FLOOR, AND INSIDE THE DRY STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL, CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PESTS.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS AT THE FOLLOWING AREAS:- FLOORS UNDERNEATH COOKING STOVE AND FRYERS AT THE FIRST FLOOR PREP AREA WITH HEAVY GREASE, DIRT AND GRIME, FLOORS UNDERNEATH THE STAIRWAY LEADING TO THE BASEMENT, FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. MUST UPGRADE HOUSEKEEPING.
55
67
Jan 16, 2020
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jan 9, 2020
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE NOT MAINTAINED, SANITIZING AT 0 PPM CHLORINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHNE MUST SANITIZE AT A MINIMAL OF 50 PPM CHLORINE. ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS MUST TEMPORARILY BE WASHED, RINSED AND SANITIZED INSIDE DISHWASH 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025.
16
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND BLACK SLIME BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING INTO ICE, ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN. ALL ICE INSIDE ICE MACHINE VOLUNTARILLY DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
16
78
Jun 4, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NOTED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION FOLLOWING THE NEW CODE AND GUIDELINES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE VERIFICATION OF POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ONE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY
3
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: NOTED TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED FOR SAFETY FOOD ITEMS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME AND USED BY DATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005(A). NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY
23
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: NOTED ESTABLISHMENT SERVING UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEMS (HAMBURGERS) WITH NO CONSUMER ADVISORY, DISCLOSURE OR REMINDERS TO THE CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU WITH A DISCLOSURE NOTICE AND REMINDER STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED TODAY.
25
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE
41
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: NOTED ICE BUILD UP INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE CONDENSATION UNITS.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS ALONG BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL AND MAINTAIN. MUST ALSO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS ESPECIALLY UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BY THE DISH WASHER. ALSO NOTED HOLE ON WALL BEHIND THE UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS WHERE EVER NEEDED TO PREVENT ENTRY POINTS FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: NOTED HEAVY CLUTTER THE BASEMENT FOO/DRY STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, ORGANIZE AND REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY OR UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, INGREDIENT CONTAINERS, RACKS, INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS AND SHELVING WITH FLOUR, DUST, GREASE DIRT BUILD-UP THROUGHOUT.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NOTED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON DUTY WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION.
58
55
Feb 6, 2018
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED. MUST LABEL BULK FOOD.(FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC.)
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: FOUND INTERIOR OF COOLERS NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
32
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: FOUND REAR OF BASEMENT STOAGE AREAS NOT CLEAN.(OLD EQUIPMENT, FISH TANK, ETC.) MUST CLEN AND ORGANIZE.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: FOUND FOODHANDLERS AT KITCHEN/BAR WITH NO FOODHANNDLER TRAINING CERTIFICARE. MUST PROVIDE.
45
82
Dec 6, 2017
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE BINS OF SALON BOTTLES ON FLOOR IN BASEMENT (BASEMENT OPENLY CONNECTS ACROSS BOTH STOREFRONTS). MUST STORE ALL STORAGE ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR. MUST CLEAN BLACKISH RESIDUE FROM BASIN OF FLOOR DRAIN AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD RESIDUE FROM WALL ABOVE PREP TABLE TO RIGHT OF REAR HAND SINK AND ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAIN IN HANDSINK OF LEFT BASEMENT EMPLOYEE RESTROOM.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST NOT STORE LOOSE MAINTENANCE TOOLS ON SHELVING AMONG FOOD PRODUCTS. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS: UNUSED CHAIRS, MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT, SPARE METAL SHELVING PIECES, UNUSED SALON SUPPLIES, ETC. MUST STORE ALL NECESSARY AND REMAINING ITEMS AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR.
41
82
Jan 30, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN THE STEAM TABLE. NOTED 1.5 LBS OF CHICKEN AT 59 DEGREES AND 1 LB OF PORK AT 101 DEGREES. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROX. $15 WORTH OF PRODUCT. INSTRUCTED TO HOLD HOT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT 140 DEGREES OR ABOVE. ALSO INSTRUCTED THAT THE STEAM TABLE MUST NOT BE USED TO REHEAT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 7-38-005(A)
3
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN, PORK) PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE, WITH CERTIFICATE POSTED, AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION: 7-38-012
21
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: BOWLS AND CUPS ARE BEING USED TO DISPENSE BULK INGREDIENTS. MUST PROVIDE SCOOPS WITH HANDLES.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST DEFROST 1 DOOR UPRIGHT FREEZER IN THE BASEMENT.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE WALK IN COOLER IS PITTED AND UNSMOOTH. MUST REPAIR THE FLOOR TO BE SMOOTH AND DURABLE.
34
78
Mar 10, 2016
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: SEE RETAIL FOOD #1006 INSPECTION REPORT
34
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Nola Cafe & Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Nola Cafe & Bar on file is from Jun 21, 2022. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Nola Cafe & Bar?
Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained & clean” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Nola Cafe & Bar.
Has Nola Cafe & Bar's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Nola Cafe & Bar have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Nola Cafe & Bar 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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