Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2022
90
Score
Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea appears in inspection records 13 times, starting in 2013. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 19, 2022. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings. Note that Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea's inspection history hasn't been updated since Dec 19, 2022; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly six violations earlier on.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “personal cleanliness”, showing up four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Chicago restaurant scores 81. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE BIN AND INTERIOR GUARD WITH SOME DIRT, NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
16
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE WITH AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS.
57
90
Jul 9, 2021
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 1, 2021
Routine
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Previous core violation corrected
Inspector notes: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT# 2355629 ISSUED ON 12-19-2019 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090 NO CITATION ISSUED #39 - NO SPLASH GUARD SIDE OF EXPOSED HAND SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASH GUARD. #51 -BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE AND CAPPUCCINO/ESPRESSO MACHINE. MUST INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES OR AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT SO IT MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. #53 - OBSERVED THAT TOILET ROOM DOOR ARE NOT CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE.TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST REMAIN CLOSED EXCEPT DURING CLEANING OPERATIONS #53 - MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS FOR UNISEX BATHROOM #55 - MUST REPAIR WALLS WITH PEELING PAINT IN FOOD PREP AREA BEHIND TRASHCAN #57 - OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
60
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (MILK, DAIRY PRODUCTS ETC) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE, A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE PRESENT WHEN HANDLING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
2
82
Dec 19, 2019
Routine
3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (MILK) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012.CITATION ISSUED
2
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO REACH UNDER COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES NOT LOCATED AT ICE MACHINE AND CAPPUCCINO/ESPRESSO MACHINE. MUST INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES OR AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT SO IT MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT TOILET ROOM DOOR ARE NOT CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE.TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST REMAIN CLOSED EXCEPT DURING CLEANING OPERATIONS
53
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE WITH COVER FOR SANITARY NAPKINS FOR UNISEX BATHROOM
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR WALLS WITH PEELING PAINT IN FOOD PREP AREA BEHIND TRASHCAN
55
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE'S MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.
57
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: NO SPLASH GUARD SIDE OF EXPOSED HAND SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASH GUARD.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THAT EMPLOYEE WORE RINGS AND WATCHES WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD.MUST REMOVE ALL JEWELRY EXCEPT PLAIN WEDDING BAND FROM HANDS WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD
40
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: NOTED EMPLOYEE WITH LONG HAIR AND NO HAIR RESTRAIN INSTRUCTED TO WEAR PROPER HAIR RESTRAIN AT ALL TIMES WHEN WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD FOOD
40
47
Jul 25, 2017
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND SERVING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS HAM HOT POCKET,LATTE,ETC. ONE CHICAGO CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE WALL BUT THE CERTIFICATE IS EXPIRED AND THE SAID PERSON IS NOT ON SITE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
21
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CEILING VENT COVER INSIDE THE WASHROOM WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN,REMOVE THE DUST AND MAINTAIN.
35
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: MISSING VISIBLE THERMOMETER INSIDE THE BLACK SMALL COOLER. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN.
40
86
Oct 21, 2016
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hand washing facilities: with soap and sanitary hand drying devices, convenient and accessible to food prep area
Inspector notes: Found hand sink in prep area without paper towels or drying device. Must have soap and sanitary hand drying device (or paper towels) available at hand sink at all times. Operator provided paper towels during inspection. Critical violation 7-38-030.
12
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: No City of Chicago certified food manager on site during inspection, while potentially hazardous foods being prepped and served (coffee drinks with milk products). Must have a City of Chicago certified food manager on site at all times when prepping or serving potentially hazardous foods. Serious violation 7-38-012.
21
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Found small amounts of black mold-like substance on interior of ice machine. Must remove, clean and sanitize machine. Must maintain.
32
86
Oct 20, 2015
Reinspection
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: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS SHELVING. FLOORS UNDER WATER FILTRATION CONTAINER MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING/MONITORING.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SPRAYER HOSE TOO LONG, HANGS BELOW FLOOD RIM OF SINK. MUST SHORTEN HOSE OR PROVIDE TENSION SPRING TO KEEP SPRAYER ABOVE RIM OF SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND STORED ITEMS ON THE REAR PATIO MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT RODENT OR PEST HARBORAGE.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE OR ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
45
78
Oct 13, 2015
Routine
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Adequate number, convenient, accessible, designed, and maintained
Inspector notes: NO COLD WATER AVAILABLE AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030. PLUMBER WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED AT 11:15AM TO REPLACE FAUCET.
11
* certified food manager on site when potentially hazardous foods are prepared and served
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE WHILE FOODS, COFFEE DRINKS WITH MILK/CREAM, ARE BEING PREPARED. CERTIFIED MANAGER ARRIVED DURING THE INSPECTION WITH CERTIFICATE IN HAND. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
21
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: COLD WATER HANDLE BROKEN/STRIPPED AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. HANDLE MUST BE TURNED ON AND OFF NUMEROUS TIMES, THREE OR FOUR ATTEMPTS, TO ALLOW THE FLOW OF COLD WATER. MUST REPAIR COLD WATER HANDLE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE FAUCET TO OPERATE PROPERLY.
24
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: MUST NOT USE MILK CRATES AS SHELVING. FLOORS UNDER SHELVING MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR CLEANING/MONITORING. MISSING SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN ADJOINING EXPOSED HAND SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INTERIOR ICE MACHINE WATERS RESERVOIR DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SPRAYER HOSE TOO LONG, HANGS BELOW FLOOD RIM OF SINK. MUST SHORTEN HOSE OR PROVIDE TENSION SPRING TO KEEP SPRAYER ABOVE RIM OF SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND STORED ITEMS ON THE REAR PATIO MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT RODENT OR PEST HARBORAGE.
41
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA MUST WEAR HAT/HAIR RESTRAINT.
42
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE OR ON THE PREMISES. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.
45
61
Jul 29, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: NOTED WATER POOLING ON FLOOR (INSIDE BOILER ROOM FROM AIR CONDITIONING UNIT) UNDER AND AROUND MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP FLOORS DRY AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
34
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOW (HOT) WATER PRESSURE AT HAND SINK INSIDE WASHROOM.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED IN REAR BY REAR EXIT DOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. USABLE ITEMS MUST BE STORED 6" OFF THE FLOOR FOR EASY ACCESS ON CLEANING.
41
86
Oct 30, 2013
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAKING PIPE UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR PIPE.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP STORED IN ICE BIN. MUST PROVIDE SCOOP CONTAINER OUTSIDE OF ICE CONTAINER.
43
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE MACHINE HAVE BUILD UP OF GRIME. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE.
43
86
Jul 19, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Jul 5, 2013
License
10 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FRONT PREP AREA COOLER TEMP IS AT 60 F. MUST BE AT 40F OF LOWER.
2
Sanitizing rinse for equipment and utensils: clean, proper temperature, concentration, exposure time
Inspector notes: NO SANITIZER PROVIDED. MUST PROVIDE SANITIZER FOR DISHES, ALONG WITH PROPER SANITIZER TEST KIT.
8
Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER THRU-OUT PREMISES. MUST HAVE RUNNING HOT WATER THRU-OUT PREMISES.
9
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: NEED TO PROVIDE SNEEZE GUARD BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND FOOD/DRINK PREP AT FRONT SERVING COUNTER.
16
No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors
Inspector notes: BROKEN WINDOW IN UTILITY ROOM AND NO PEST CONTROL LICENSE PROVIDED. NEED TO REPAIR BROKEN WINDOW TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY AND PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LICENSE.
18
Dish washing facilities: properly designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located and operated
Inspector notes: PLUMBERS PUTTY IN THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AROUND DRAINS. MUST REMOVE PUTTY.
24
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: NO SPLASH GUARD OR PROTECTIVE BARRIER BETWEEN EXPOSED HANDSINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL WASHABL BARRIER.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: LARGE HOLES GAPS AND CRACKS IN PREP AREA AROUND DUCT WORK , AND UTILITY ROOM. MUST FILL ALL GAPS, HOLES, AND CRACKS THRU-OUT PREMISES. SWING DOOR TO PREP AREA NEEDS TO BE SEALED AND FINISHED.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: NEEP TO PROVIDE SHIELDS OR PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR LIGHTS IN PREP AREA.
36
Refrigeration and metal stem thermometers provided and conspicuous
Inspector notes: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER. MUST PROVIDE.
40
61
May 28, 2013
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea on file is from Dec 19, 2022. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea?
Across the inspection record, “personal cleanliness” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea.
Has Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea 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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