Plaza Cafe
Last inspected: Sep 25, 2015
67
Score
Plaza Cafe appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2010. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 25, 2015. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme. Note that Plaza Cafe's inspection history hasn't been updated since Sep 25, 2015; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around two violations to closer to five violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 25, 2015
Routine
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: NOTED EVIDENCE OF INSECTS ON SITE. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 25 LIVE FLIES IN THE MENS LOCKER ROOM, 20 IN THE REAR PREP AREA, 40 NEAR THE LARGE ICE MACHINES,25 IN THE DRY GOODS STORAGE CLOSET NEAR THE ICE MACHINES, 25 IN THE DISH WASHING AREAS AND THROUGHOUT HALLWAYS. MUST REMOVE INSECTS, SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE AREAS. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020
18
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR BROKEN CABINET IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA AND REMOVE TAPE. REPAIR BROKEN CABINET DOOR UNDERNEATH THE SODA DISPENSER.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN VENT COVERS IN EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOMS AND REMOVE DUST BUILD UP. ALSO DETAIL CLEAN FRYERS,ALL OTHER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND VENTILATION HOODS THROUGHOUT ALL PREP AREAS AND REMOVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF EACH ICE MACHINE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF BULK FOOD ITEM COMTAINERS. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF UNDER COUNTER STORAGE CABINETS IN THE GRILL, COFFEE AND DELI AREAS.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN WALK IN COOLERS AS NEEDED, IN DRY STORAGE CLOSETS UNDER SHELVING AND IN EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOMS. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AREAS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SINKS. KEEP FLOORS DRY UNDER THE ICE MACHINES.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN WALLS IN PREP AREAS BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT, UNDER SINKS AND THROUGHOUT AS NEEDED. ALSO CLEAN WALLS IN EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOMS. DETAIL CLEAN DUSTY CEILING TILES IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS AS NEEDED.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: REPLACE BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN THE BEVERAGE WALK IN COOLER.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A GREASE TRAP AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK OR PROVIDE PROOF OF INSTALLATION. MUST REPAIR THE LEAKY PIPES UNDERNEATH THE HANDSINK ACROSS FROM THE POT WASHER. REPAIR LEAKS UNDER THE TWO LARGE ICE MACHINES. MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPES UNDERNEATH THE HAND SINK IN THE GRILL PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW DEVICE AT THE SODA DISPENSER OR PROVIDE PROOF OF INSTALLATION.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MINIMIZE CLUTTER IN THE HALLWAYS, PREP AREAS AND IN THE UNUSED PREP AREA OUTSIDE OF THE BEVERAGE COOLER. MUST REMOVE UNUSED EQUIPMENT.
41
67
Feb 5, 2015
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: NO SOAP OR SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE LOCATED AT THE HAND SINK IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA. ALSO, OBSERVED THE HAND SINK IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA OBSTRUCTED WITH A SIGN AND THE HAND SINK IN THE GRILL PREP AREA OBSTRUCTED WITH A FOOD HANDLERS PERSONAL BEVERAGE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING FACILITIES IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA AND INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS OBSTRUCTING EMPLOYEE HAND SINKS. EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING FACILITIES MUST BE READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES AND SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICE MUST BE PROVIDED AT ALLL TIMES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030
12
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF FRYERS IN THE GRILL PREP AREA, DETAIL CLEAN COUNTER TOPS, EQUIPMENT AND SINKS IN THE COFFEE PREP AREA. DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF STORAGE CABINETS IN THE SELF SERVICE CONDIMENT AREA NEAR REGISTERS. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN THE VENT COVERS IN THE FOOD SERVICE STAFF WASHROOMS. (LOCKER ROOMS)
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS AS NEEDED. REMOVE ANY FOOD DEBRIS AND KEEP FLOORS DRY.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR THE LEAKY FAUCET AT THE HAND SINK NEXT TO THE REAR BEVERAGE WALK IN COOLER. MUST ALSO REPAIR THE LEAKY PIPES UNDERNEATH THE LARGE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MINIMIZE FOUL ODORS IN THE FOOD SERVICE STAFF WOMENS WASHROOM.(LOCKER ROOM)
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA DIRECTLY OUTSIDE OF THE REAR BEVERAGE COOLER.
41
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST PROPERLY STORE WASH RAGS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
74
Aug 21, 2014
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 6, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR ICE MACHINE UPPER METAL PANEL AND RUBBER DOOR GASKET NEEDS CLEANING.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: BOTH FLOOR DRAINS IN FLAT GRILL PREP WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND ONE WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO HOT OR COLD RUNNING WATER SOURCE ABOVE FROZEN YOGURT MACHINE TO ENABLE PROPER WASHING, RINSING AND SANITIZING. MUST INSTALL HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. MACHINE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL WATER SOURCE PROVIDED.
38
86
Nov 26, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CLEAN THE FOLLOWING IN THE GRILL AREA: BOTTOM REFRIGERATION DRAWERS UNDER GRILLS, EXTERIOR SURFACES OF REFRIGERATION UNITS AND FRYERS, INTERIOR BOTTOMS OF FRYERS. CLEAN HOODED SYSTEM ABOVE GRILLS.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN FLOOR IN GRILL AREA AND FLOOR DRAIN NEAR ICE MACHINES.
34
90
Jun 14, 2013
Routine
No violations found.
100
Jun 20, 2012
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jun 12, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: DURING INSPECTION OBSERVED 15 DRAIN FLIES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT REAR KITCHEN HALLWAY CEILING TILES LEADING TO THE DRY STORAGE AREA. RECOMMEND PEST CONTROL PROVIDE SERVICE PRIOR TO 6/19/2012.MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ABOVE MENTIONED AREAS.CITATION ISSUED H000076821 17
18
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FLOOR DRAINS LOCATED AT MAIN KITCHEN AREA AND DISHROOM. MUST DRY WET FLOOR UNDER UPRIGHT HOT HOLDING UNIT.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST ADJUST TEMPERATURE VALVE AT LADIES RESTROOM.
38
86
Aug 13, 2010
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 6, 2010
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. Noted 23-small/fruit flies on walls & ceiling of the main dishroom towards the entry door; 10-on walls & ceiling in back hallway by empty garbage bins. Instructed to eliminat/minimize pest activity, clean/sanitize affected areas & contact P.C.O.
18
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 fix broken door hinges on cabinet doors at various stations.
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. Following need cleaning: bottom of grills, interior bottom of fryers -due to food debris, grease or dust.
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. Floors along wallbases under prep stations need cleaning. Must clean floors of walk-in cooler also.
34
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. Leak noted under the drip pan of soda dispenser-must fix.
38
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Plaza Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Plaza Cafe on file is from Sep 25, 2015. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Plaza Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Plaza Cafe.
Has Plaza Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Plaza Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Plaza Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
Nearby Restaurants