The French Lunchbox

131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661
French
Last inspected: Mar 6, 2019
43
Score
High Risk

Public records show four inspections at The French Lunchbox stretching back to 2017. The most recent visit was on Mar 6, 2019. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important. Note that The French Lunchbox's inspection history hasn't been updated since Mar 6, 2019; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.

The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around nine violations each, up from closer to two violations before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “management, food employee and conditional employee”, showing up two times.

Compared to other Chicago restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.

4
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 6, 2019
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED TCS FOODS IN THE PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. 22 LBS OF GNOCCHI AT 5OF, VALUED $125. 5 LBS OF DUCK AT 50F, VALUED AT $200. 5 LBS OF SOUP (W/TCS INGREDIENTS) AT 50F, VALUED AT $160. 3 LBS OF PASTA AT 51F, VALUED AT $6. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP TCS COLD FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PREP COOLER AT AN INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE OF 48F WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO DISCONTINUE USING COOLER UNTIL SERVICED AND TEMPERATURE IS MAINTAINING A COLD TEMPERATURE OF 41F OF BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
33
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: MUST ADD DISCLOSURE AND POST REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENUS REGARDING RAW OR UNDER-COOKED FOODS. SEE CODE INFORMATION ABOVE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE CITY'S HEALTH POLICY OR SIMILAR DOCUMENTS USED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO CLEAN UP KIT OR PROCEDURES ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP KIT AND POST PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES TO FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
City of chicago food service sanitation certificate
Inspector notes: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ONSITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS; DUCK HOLLANDAISE SAUCE AND SOUPS, ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED MANAGER ONSITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.
2
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE CUTTING BOARD ON PREP COOLER, Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and SANITIZED, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
47
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE UNDERNEATH 3-COMP SINK, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
51
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: ALLERGEN CERTIFICATES ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION LICENSE. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ONSITE.
58
43
Jan 26, 2018
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: Observed cutting board in front prep area warped and stained. Instructed manager to replace and maintain at all times.
32
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: Observed 2 door arctic air reach in cooler at improper temperature of 57.3f, holding potentially hazardous foods, at time of inspection, due to unit being over packed to capacity. Informed manager that reach in cooler units must keep potentially hazardous foods at 40 degrees or less at all times. Manager corrected the violation during inspection. Critical violation 7-38-005 (a)
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous food at improper temperature in 2 door arctic reach in. 51.2f, 8 lbs of black Squid ink gnocchi at a total value of $75.00 :prep date 1/25/18 107.1f, 16 lbs herb gnocchi, at a value of $ 75.00:prep date 1/25/18 53.1, 8 lbs of sweet potato gnocchi, at a value of $75.00:prep date 1/25/18 50.1f to 90.2f, 6 lbs of cooked mushrooms and roasted garlic, at a value of $25.00:prep date 1/25/18 73.8f, 2lbs of roast duck breast, at a value of $35.00:prep date 1/25/18 Stored inside kitchenaid crock pot: 118.4f, 10 lbs mashed potatoes at a total value of $8.00 Manager stated total weight 50lbs at an approximate value of $293.00 Manager voluntary discarded and denatured said food. Instructed to keep all food cold at 40 degrees or less and hot food at 140 degrees or above. Critical violation 7 - 38 -0 0 5 (a)
3
86
May 18, 2017
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Found employee restroom washbowl sink faucet (in bathroom on the left) stays on for 3 seconds. Timed faucets must remain on for a minimum of 15 seconds to properly wash hands. Must repair and maintain. Found leak at 3 compartment sink faucet. Must repair and maintain.
38
95
Jan 30, 2017
License
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON MOP SINK IN DISREPAIR. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
38
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The French Lunchbox last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The French Lunchbox on file is from Mar 6, 2019. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The French Lunchbox?

Across the inspection record, “management, food employee and conditional employee” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The French Lunchbox.

Has The French Lunchbox's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at The French Lunchbox have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at The French Lunchbox means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.