Surf's Old Town

1143 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610

American

Last inspected: Mar 24, 2021

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2020, Surf's Old Town has three inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 24, 2021. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer. The most recent inspection at Surf's Old Town is from Mar 24, 2021, and nothing newer appears in the public record.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around five violations each.

The pattern that stands out is “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable”, which has been cited two times.

Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 24, 2021

Routine

5 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DRIED FOOD DEBRIS FROM MOUNTED POTATO PEELER/CUTTER IN REAR PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK IN MOP CLOSET, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN DISH AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Approved thawing methods used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN SHRIMP BEING THAWED IMPROPERLY ON THE PREP COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW SHRIMP IN COOLER OVERNIGHT OR THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER.

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: MUST LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Jun 15, 2020

Reinspection

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUSTOMER WASHROOM DOOR WITHOUT SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Jun 11, 2020

License

2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A HAND WASHING SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA/DISH WASHING AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAINED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.

Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CUSTOMER WASHROOM DOOR WITHOUT SELF CLOSING DOOR DEVICE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW UNFINISHED WOOD ON WALL NEXT TO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE AND NON ABSORBENT SURFACES.

All food employees have food handler training

Inspector notes: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Allergen training as required

Inspector notes: OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Surf's Old Town last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Surf's Old Town on file is from Mar 24, 2021. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Surf's Old Town?

Across the inspection record, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Surf's Old Town.

Has Surf's Old Town's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Surf's Old Town have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Surf's Old Town means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

Nearby Restaurants

Mirlan & Sanat

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Score: 67 — Medium Risk

Euphrates Cafe

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

Cafe Central Asia

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Score: 86 — Low Risk

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