Sammy's Grill
Last inspected: Sep 10, 2018
55
Score
Public records show five inspections at Sammy's Grill stretching back to 2015. On Sep 10, 2018, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent. Public records show no inspections at Sammy's Grill since Sep 10, 2018, so this file may not reflect current conditions.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 12 violations to closer to 10 violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 10, 2018
Complaint
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP POLICY FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE POLICY AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATON OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILTIY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSIMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A).
3
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INOPERABLE THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE OPERABLE THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF FLOUR AND CORN MEAL NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WASH CLOTHS ON COUNTER AND PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TONGS LAYING ON RAW FISH INSIDE CONTAINER STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE TONGS WITH HANDLE ABOVE FOOD.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TONGS LAYING ON RAW FISH INSIDE CONTAINER STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE TONGS WITH HANDLE ABOVE FOOD.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON CONDIMENT SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD. SHELVING SHALL BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE CABINETS AND REAR COMPARTMENTS OF FRYERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON ROLLING CARTS AND SHELVING UNITS INSIDE COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, DISH WASHING, AND UNUSED WALK-IN COOLER AREAS.
55
55
Aug 1, 2018
Reinspection
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE POLICY AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATON OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILTIY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSIMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP POLICY FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
5
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INOPERABLE THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE OPERABLE THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF FLOUR AND CORN MEAL NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WASH CLOTHS ON COUNTER AND PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: : OBSERVED TONGS LAYING ON RAW FISH INSIDE CONTAINER STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE TONGS WITH HANDLE ABOVE FOOD.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: : OBSERVED TONGS LAYING ON RAW FISH INSIDE CONTAINER STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE TONGS WITH HANDLE ABOVE FOOD.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON CONDIMENT SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD. SHELVING SHALL BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE CABINETS AND REAR COMPARTMENTS OF FRYERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON ROLLING CARTS AND SHELVING UNITS INSIDE COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, DISH WASHING, AND UNUSED WALK-IN COOLER AREAS.
55
55
Jul 24, 2018
Complaint
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE ON PREP TABLE RAW HAMBURGER PATTIES 53.F, RAW CHICKEN 47.3F, COOKED STEAK HELD OVERNIGHT IN COOLER 48.1F, SLICED TOMATOES 46.4F, TZATZIKI SAUCE 48.2F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 20LBS AND $40 OF FOOD. ALL COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
22
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector notes: OBSERVED 20 MICE DROPPINGS INSIDE CABINET UNDER FRONT EXPOSED SINK, 20 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR BEHIND REAR CHEST FREEZER, 20 MICE DROPPINGS ON CONDIMENT SHELVES ALONG EAST WALL, 20 MICE DROPPINGS ON SHELVES UNDER SECURITY EQUIPMENT, 20 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR NEAR BULK SHORTENING AND WASTE GREASE CONTAINER, 30 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN UNUSED WALK-IN COOLER, 30 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLS IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A)
38
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE POLICY AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATON OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILTIY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSIMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A)
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP POLICY FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
5
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER TEST KIT AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST KIT FOR PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
48
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: OBSERVED INOPERABLE THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE OPERABLE THERMOMETER IN PREP COOLER.
36
Food properly labeled; original container
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS OF FLOUR AND CORN MEAL NOT LABELED IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.
37
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WASH CLOTHS ON COUNTER AND PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
In-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TONGS LAYING ON RAW FISH INSIDE CONTAINER STORED INSIDE REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE TONGS WITH HANDLE ABOVE FOOD.
43
Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT ALL CARRYOUT TRAYS NEAR HOT HOLDING UNIT TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
45
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON CONDIMENT SHELVING UNITS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD. SHELVING SHALL BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP INSIDE CABINETS AND REAR COMPARTMENTS OF FRYERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FRYERS. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON ROLLING CARTS AND SHELVING UNITS INSIDE COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: FLOORS NEED CLEANING ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, DISH WASHING, AND UNUSED WALK-IN COOLER AREAS.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO LIGHT INSIDE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN TOILET ROOM.
56
37
Aug 4, 2016
Complaint
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST SEAL SMALL OPENING ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR SIDE EXIT DOOR.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FRYERS, THE VENTILATION HOOD,SINKS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS. ALSO CLEAN TOILET AND SINK IN THE WASH ROOM.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOORS IN THE PREP AREA, DISH WASHING AREA AND IN THE WASH ROOM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN WALLS IN THE PREP AREA, THE DISH WASHING AREA AND IN THE WASH ROOM.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR SLOW DRAIN AT THE REAR HAND SINK.
38
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
Jul 20, 2015
License
9 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REMOVE FOIL FROM ROLLING CART.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRI FRYERS,WHEELBASES OF EQUIPMENT,WINDOW SILLS,POP COOLERS.MUST DEFROST REAR CHEST FREEZER.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT PREP & DISH WASHING AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DIRT & DEBRI FROM WALLS IN PREP ,DISH WASHING,LOBBY AREA,FILTERS & HOOD.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED TOILETROOM DOOR,MISSING DOOR KNOB ON REAR DOOR,STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT.MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALLS AND WINDOW SILLS THROUGHOUT.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD IN WALK IN COOLER.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A BACKFLOW DEVICE ON MOPSINK.MUST PROVIDE STOPPERS FOR 3- COMP SINK.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR & AWAY FROM WALL IN REAR STORAGE AREA UNDER SHELVING UNITS.
41
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET.MUST ENROLL & MAINTAIN.
45
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sammy's Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Sammy's Grill on file is from Sep 10, 2018. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Sammy's Grill?
Across the inspection record, “thermometers provided & accurate” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Sammy's Grill.
Has Sammy's Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Sammy's Grill have averaged around 10 violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Sammy's Grill 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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