The Local Option Tavern
Last inspected: Aug 24, 2022
90
Score
Across the available record, The Local Option Tavern has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2011. The most recent visit was on Aug 24, 2022. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately. The Local Option Tavern's record stops at Aug 24, 2022, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed”, which has been cited four times.
The Local Option Tavern's latest score of 90 sits above the Chicago average of 81. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 24, 2022
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MISSING FRONT DOOR OF ICE MACHINE UNDER BAR COUNTER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE
47
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: WOOD LEGS UNDER THE BAR COUNTER ARE NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. REPAIR ISSUE. THE SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
47
90
Dec 13, 2019
Routine
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW UP WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, BUT NO CLEAN UP KIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
90
Aug 31, 2018
Routine
4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 5-203.11 OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SINK BY 3-COMPARTMENT/DISHWASHING AREA. MUST INSTALLED A HANDWASHING SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030. NO CITATION ISSUED.
10
Proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: 3-501.17(C)(C) OBSERVED READY TO EAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS)NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE THE FOOD MUST BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED WITHIN 7 DAYS. INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL READY -TO-EAT-TCD FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24HRS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
23
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: 2-102.14(A)(A)THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: 2-501.11 THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW UP WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-202.16 MUST REMOVE TINT FOIL FROM UNDERNEATH COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FOOD PREP AREA AND MUST MAINTAIN.
47
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: 6-201.11OBSERVED OPENINGS INTO FLOOR IN BASEMENT NEAR TO CHEST MEAT FREEZER. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: PA 100-0367 OBSERVED ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN.
58
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HANDWASHING SINKS IN FOOD PREP AND BAR AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: 3-305.11(A)(B)(C) OBSERVED LIQUOR BOXES IN BASEMENT NOT ELEVATED 6INCHES OFF FLOOR. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN.
39
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: 3-304.14 OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA. MUST PROPERLY STORED WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
41
50
May 22, 2017
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL FOOD CONTAINERS IN PREP AREA WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR BROKEN DOOR HANDEL ON PREP COOLER IN PREP AREA. ADJUST BOTTOM THRESHOLD ON REAR EXIT DOOR. DEFROST DEEP FREEZER IN BASEMENT, EXCESSIVE ICE ACCUMULATION PRESENT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN SODA NOZZLE CADDY'S BEHIND THE BAR, UNKNOWN DEBRIS PRESENT, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST REPAIR MISSING FLOOR DRAIN COVER IN MENS TOILET ROOM.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN HOOD AND FILTERS; GREASE PRESENT, AND REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
35
78
Jun 20, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A BACK FLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE AND ON MOPSINK.
38
90
Sep 24, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: CEILING VENT COVER INSIDE THE MEN'S WASHROOM RUSTED . MUST REPLACE OR REMOVE RUST AND PAINT.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: DOOR OF THE MEN'S WASHROOM NOT CLOSING. MUST REPAIR SO DOOR WILL CLOSE AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
Sep 4, 2014
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE LEAK UNDERNEATH THE BAR 4 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE 2 ADDITIONAL SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE BASEMENT PREP AREA.
38
95
Aug 28, 2013
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: RUSTY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. MUST REPAINT OR REPLACE.
32
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: LEAKY FAUCET HANDLE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LOCATED AT FRONT BAR.
38
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUT REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES FROM BASEMENT FOOD STORAGE AREA TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
41
86
Nov 14, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Facilities to maintain proper temperature
Inspector notes: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE AIR TEMPERATURE INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AT 48.0F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS MEATS AND CHEESES. THE MANAGER TURNED DOWN THE TEMPERATURE TO THE THERMOMSTAT AND THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS AT 35.6F BY THE END OF THE INSPECTION. MUST MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
2
Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirement during storage, preparation display and service
Inspector notes: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED EGGS AT 47.3F, CRABCAKES AT 45.8F, CHEESE AT 47.4F, YOGURT AT 47.4F, SALAMI AT 47.4F, BUTTER AT 47.8F, MORTEDELLA AT 47.1F, FLANK STEAK AT 46.7F, CHICKEN AT 47.3F, AND SAUSAGE AT 46.5F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 60# OF FOOD WORTH $250. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
3
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REPAIR THE DRAIN LINE LEAK UNDERNEATH THE BASEMENT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
38
86
Jan 7, 2011
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. ALL PREPARED FOODS IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZERS MUST BE LABELED AND DATED.
30
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. KNIVES STORED IMPROPERLY BETWEEN PREP TABLES. MUST PROVIDE PROPER KNIFE HOLDER.
31
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST NOT USE ELECTRICAL TAPE AS REPAIR FOR SHELVING ON COOKS LINE.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. HOLE IN WALL BEHIND COOKS GRILL. MUST SEAL. MUST PROVIDE CEILING ABOVE BASEMENT ICE MACHINE AND MUST NOT BE STORED UNDER CEILING SEWER PIPING. WALL IN BASEMENT DRY FOOD STORAGE WITH OPEN SEAMS/CREVICES, MUST SEAL.
35
Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded
Inspector notes: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST SHIELD ALL LIGHTS IN KITCHEN (1ST FLOOR) AND ABOVE BASEMENT BOX FREEZER OR PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF BULBS.
36
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST INSTALL SODA GUN HOLDERS WITH PROPER DRAINAGE LINES.
38
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Local Option Tavern last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Local Option Tavern on file is from Aug 24, 2022. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Local Option Tavern?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Local Option Tavern.
Has The Local Option Tavern's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Local Option Tavern have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at The Local Option Tavern 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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