Protein Bar
Last inspected: Mar 15, 2023
70
Score
Across the available record, Protein Bar has 13 inspections on file, the first dated 2013. On Mar 15, 2023, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result. Public records show no inspections at Protein Bar since Mar 15, 2023, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around three violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “approved thawing methods used”, showing up three times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 15, 2023
Routine
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN THE KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA IS NOT LABELED. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE LABELS.
37
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PANINI PRESS STATION AND CONTAINER OF LIDS FOR FOOD CONTAINERS NEAR SELF-SERVICE UTENISLS. PREPARATION AREA MUST BE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION BY STORING IT: 1) IN A CLEAN, DRY LOCATION; 2) WHERE IT IS NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH, DUST OR OTHER CONTAMINATION; FACILITY MUST RELOCATE PREPAREA/SINGLE-USE ARTICLES OR PROVIDE A GUARD TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION FROM CUSTOMER SELF-SERVICE AREA.
39
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: UTENSILS STORED IN STAGNANT WATER NEAR SOUP HOT HOLDING STATION. STORE IN-USE UTENSILS: 1) IN THE FOOD WITH THE HANDLE UP AND OUT OF THE FOOD ITEM; 2) STORED ON A CLEAN AND SANITIZED SIRFACE; 3) IN RUNNING WATER; 4) IN CONTAINER OF HOT WATER MAINTAINED AT OR ABOVE 135F.
43
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOUND IN EMPLOYEE STORAGE AREA (BROKEN OVEN). THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEE BACKPACK FOUND STORED IMPROPERLY ALONG WITH DRY STORAGE ITEMS. FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL A) PROVIDE DESIGNATED DRESSING ROOMS OR DRESSING AREAS FOR EMPLOYEES THAT ROUTINELY CHANGE THEIR CLOTHES IN THE ESTABLISHMENTS; B) PROVIDE LOCKERS OR OTHER SUITABLE FACILITIES FOR THE ORDERLY STORAGE OF EMPLOYEES' CLOTHING AND OTHER POSSESSIONS.
56
Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EMPOYEE EATING IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. STAFF MUST HAVE A DESIGNATED AREA OUTSIDE OF PREPARATION AREAS TO EAT. DISCUSSED WITH EMPLOYEES WHILE ON SITE. EMPLOYEE RELOCATED TO THE OUTSIDE DINING AREA.
6
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: FROZEN RAW FISH HAS BEEN THAWED WHILE STILL WRAPPED IN COMMERCIAL REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING (ROP). PACKAGING MUST BE REMOVED FROM FISH IN ROP PRIOR TO THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION OR RUNNING WATER.
35
70
Jan 27, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
38
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE UNISEX EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM LOCATED IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
53
86
Nov 12, 2019
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 21, 2019
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP STORED IN STAGNATE WATER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A DRY CLEAN HOLDER.
43
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: A FOOD HANDLER WITH BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRAINTS.
40
90
Jan 26, 2018
Routine
No violations found.
100
Mar 14, 2017
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PANINI PRESS WITH GREASE ACCUMULATION. DEGREASE AND MAINTAIN
33
95
May 18, 2016
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: PREP AREA DRINKS REACH IN COOLER NOT MAINTAINED, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE AT 46.5 F, FOUND MILK, YOGURT HLED INSIDE SAID COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR COOLER, AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE MUST BE 40 F OR BELOW. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A). CITATION ISSUED.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: FOUND THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES- YOGURT AT 49.0 F AND MILK 52.0 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 40 F OR BELOW IF HELD COLD. ALL OUT OF TEMPERATURE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS VOLUNTARILLY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A). CITATION ISSUED.
3
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: DRINKS REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKET NOT TIGHT FITTED AT CORNERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COOLER DOOR GASKET MUST TIGHT FIT.
32
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP AREA FLOOR DRAIN AND DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE FLOOR DRAIN UNDER SODA MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL FLOOR DRAINS AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING TILES/CEILING VENTILATION COVER ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN CEILING TILES/CEILING VENTILATION COVER AND MAINTAIN.
35
Appropriate method of handling of food (ice) hair restraints and clean apparel worn
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE AT DISHWASH AREA NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS/DISHWASHER MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRIANTS.
42
74
Jun 3, 2015
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: LABEL AND DATE ALL FOOD CONTAINERS WITH READY TO EAT FOODS INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLER . ALSO LABEL ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: ALL CLEAN UTENSILS, POTS, PANS, FOOD CONTAINERS, MUST BE STORED UPSIDE DOWN/INVERTED TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.
31
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR THRU-OUT STORAGE AREA ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER AND MAINTAIN.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: CEILING VEBT COVER ABOVE THE MOP SINK FAUCET WITH DUST ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. POLE BESIDE THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITH PEELING PAINT. MUST SCRAPE PEELING PAINT AND REPAINT.
35
82
Sep 22, 2014
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
Sep 12, 2014
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 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 OVER 25 FLYING INSECTS ON WALLS, SHELVES AND CEILING OF PREMISES ESPECIALLY AT THE REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION #7-38-020
18
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE PANINI GRILLS AT THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS.
33
90
Dec 19, 2013
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: ICE SCOOP HOLDER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CELAN AND MAINTAIN.
33
95
May 15, 2013
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
May 13, 2013
License
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Water source: safe, hot & cold under city pressure
Inspector notes: NO HOT RUNNING WATER IN FACILITY, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HOT WATER NO LESS THAN 110F.
9
Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters
Inspector notes: TOILET ROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
37
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Protein Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Protein Bar on file is from Mar 15, 2023. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Protein Bar?
Across the inspection record, “approved thawing methods used” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Protein Bar.
Has Protein Bar's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Protein Bar have averaged around three violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Protein Bar means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
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