Wasabi Cafe
Last inspected: Aug 17, 2020
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Wasabi Cafe 13 times, with records going back to 2011. The most recent report on file is from Aug 17, 2020. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme. The file hasn't been updated since Aug 17, 2020, so take the current picture with that in mind.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around three violations to closer to eight violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
That's lower than the typical Chicago restaurant, which scores around 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
13
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 17, 2020
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN FOOD PREP OR FOOD STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES STORAGE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
56
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINKS IN FRONT SUSHI BAR AREA, IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND INSIDE TOILET ROOMS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
10
Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT SUSHI BAR AREA DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
51
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE PROVIDED AT THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: ALL UNUSED COOLERS IN REAR STORAGE AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES TO PREVENT INSECT HARBORAGE.
55
74
Jun 11, 2019
Routine
4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food
Inspector notes: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED ON THE MENU WHERE RAW FOODS ARE DISCLOSED AND REMINDED. MUST POST THE CONSUMER ADVISORY STATEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
25
Compliance with variance/specialized process/haccp
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN OUTDATED WATER ACTIVITY ANALYSIS LETTER FOR SUSHI RICE FROM MEAT INDUSTRY LABORATORIES, INC. DATED JAN. 15, 2013. MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT WATER AND P.H. ACTIVITY REPORT AND MAINTAIN FOR A MAXIMUM OF 5 YEARS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
29
Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
Inspector notes: DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT FOR VARIANCE OF SUSHI RICE P.H.AND WATER ACTIVITY. SEE VIOLATION #29. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
32
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: NO WRITTEN CLEANING PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector notes: PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER MOUNTED ON A WALL AWAY FROM THE REAR BAR HAND SINK. MUST MOVE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER CLOSE TO THE HAND WASHING SINK.
10
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN THE REAR KITCHEN ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK AND THE HAND WASHING SINK.
39
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: PLASTIC TAPE NOTED AS A MEANS OF REPAIR FOR WALLS AT THE SUSHI PREP.---- PEELING PLASTIC PROTECTING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE ONE COMPARTMENT PREP SINK AT SUSHI PREP AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE TALL REACH IN FREEZER AT THE DISH AREA. MUST REMOVE PEELING PLASTIC TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----PLASTIC WRAP BEING USED AS A MEANS OF SECURING LIGHT SHIELD THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN. MUST NOT USE PLASTIC WRAP AS A MEANS OF REPAIR.----CARDBOARD WRAPPED IN PLASTIC WRAP USED AS NON-SLIP MATTING UNDER CUTTING BOARDS. MUST NOT USE PLASTIC WRAPPED CARDBOARD. MUST USE CLEANABLE MATTING.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: EXCESSIVE RUST ON METAL SHELVING UNDER PREP TABLE AT THE SODA DISPENSING STATION. MUST REMOVE RUST.----INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE UNUSED COOLER NEXT TO THE COOKS LINE. FOOD ENCRUSTED HOT AND COLD FAUCET ON THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE FRONT SUSHI PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS LINER, SHIELDING, MATTING FOR SHELVING AT THE FRONT SUSHI PREP AND THROUGHOUT THE REAR KITCHEN. SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.
49
Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
Inspector notes: UNUSED PILED WOOD AT THE REAR PATIO GREASE RECEPTACLE AREA. MUST REMOVE PILED WOOD TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORING.
54
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE PAPER AND TAPE AS A MEANS TO SEAL HOLES IN THE CEILING IN THE REAR KITCHEN.----MUST NOT USE PLASTIC TAPE TO SECURE FOOD TIMER ON THE WALL OF THE COOKS LINE. ALL SURFACES MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.----PLASTIC CAULKING AT THE FRONT SUSHI PREP HAND SINK IN POOR REPAIR, CHIPPING/CRACKING. MUST REPLACE. ----EXCESSIVE DIRT ON THE FLOOR AT THE FRONT SUSHI PREP, POOLING LIQUID UNDER THE SODA DISPENSING SYSTEM IN THE REAR KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN.
55
Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE GREATER LIGHT INTENSITY INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER.
56
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL THE CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE.
58
45
May 18, 2018
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOOD NOT PROTECTED DURING PREP AND STORAGE.FOUND FLIES GLUE STICK HANGING FROM CEILING(WITH FLIES ON IT) ABOVE OPENED LID AT PREP COOLER AND ABOVE REACH-IN COOLER IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.SERIOUS VIOLATION:7-38-005(A) OWNER REMOVED BOTH FLIES GLUE STICKS.
16
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: BROKEN RUBBER GASKET INSIDE THE TWO DOOR REACH-IN COOLER AT SUSHI AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE. PLASTIC STRING FROM GROCERY BAGS USED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND METAL LEG OF THE DISH MACHINE NEED TO REMOVE AND PROPERLY REPAIR ISSUE. ALSO FILTHY PLASTIC ON SANITIZER SOLUTION HOSE,SOAP AND FINAL RINSE AGENT. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE FAUCET AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE KITCHEN WAS REPAIRED WITH EXCESS POROUS WHITE UNKNOWN MATERIAL,UNABLE TO CLEAN, GRIMES AND BLACK SLIME AROUND SAID FAUCET,REMOVE WHITE MATERIAL AND REPAIR SAID FAUCET. ALSO REMOVE DIRTY,GRIMED, POROUS EXCESS CAULKING AT BASE OF THE TOILET BOWL IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE SEALER AND MAINTAIN. EMPLOYEE USING CARDBOARD ON FLOOR UNDER THE FEET IN PREP AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND PROVIDE A FLOOR MAT. SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IN SUSHI AND JUICE AREA BOTH SIDES.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
32
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: REMOVE DEBRIS INSIDE THE CHEST FREEZER AT REAR STORAGE AREA
33
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: STANDING WATER BETWEEN FLOOR TILES ON REMOVED GROUT FROM FLOOR IN FRONT OF PREP TABLE IN THE KITCHEN INSTRUCTED TO RE-GROUT AREA.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: BROKEN WALL UNDER THE SUSHI PREP COUNTER,MISSING CEILING AT DRY STORAGE ABOVE THREE WHITE CHEST FREEZER,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAID CEILING OR RELOCATE MENTIONED ITEMS.REPAIRED WALL BY THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE KITCHEN REPAIRED WITH TAPE.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TAPE AND RE-SEAL WITH SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL ONE COMPARTMENT SINK UNDER CITY PLUMBING CODE AT SUSHI AREA.
38
74
Jun 26, 2017
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles
Inspector notes: FOUND CONTAINERS NOT STORED PROPERLY. MUST STORE INVERTED.
31
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT OFFICE AREAS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
34
90
Nov 1, 2016
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR DRAINS IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST MAINTAIN FLOOR DRY IN REAR DISHWASHING AREA TO PREVENT PEST BREADING.
34
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS ON CEILING ABOVE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
90
Mar 25, 2016
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST LABEL BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA.
30
Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained
Inspector notes: MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS A LINER FOR SHELVING AT THE COOKS LINE. MUST REMOVE FOIL AND MAINTAIN.
32
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON WALLS IN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
35
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR PREP AREA AND DISH WASHING AREA DRAINING SLOW. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
38
Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.
43
78
Jun 19, 2015
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: OBSERVED BAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK INTERIOR WITH FOOD DEBRIS ALSO OBSERVED SLIGHT CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT.
33
Food handler requirements met
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST BE CERTIFIED WITH CERTIFICATES OF NAMES OF EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES.
45
90
Dec 19, 2014
Complaint
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained
Inspector notes: REMOVE GRIME FROM THE FLOOR DRAIN TO THE RIGHT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
38
95
May 23, 2014
Reinspection
No violations found.
100
May 15, 2014
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation
Inspector notes: FOOD NOT PROTECTED FROM STORAGE INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. OBSERVED PINK AND YELLOW DISCOLORATION ON THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF THE UPPER COMPARTMENT OF THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE MACHINE OR REMOVE DISCOLORATION FROM THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES AND REPLACE ANY SOILED WATER HOSES. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITZE INTERIOR SURFACES. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005A
16
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL REFRIGERATOR GASKETS ON PREMISES CURRENTLY SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS.
33
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS AND CLUTTER FROM EMPLOYEE WASHROOM.
41
86
Apr 17, 2013
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents
Inspector notes: DETAIL CLEAN FAN INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER IN REAR FOOD AREA.REMOVE DUST AND DIRT.
33
Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods
Inspector notes: WATER DEMAGE CEILING TILES IN REAR OF BUSINESS BY EMPLOYEES LOCKER ROOM. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE.
35
90
Dec 19, 2012
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES.
30
Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used
Inspector notes: MUST MAINTAIN FLOORS DRY BETWEEN THE 3COMP SINK AND THE 1 COMP SINK IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA.
34
Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored
Inspector notes: MUST DECLUTTER AND BETTER ORGANIZE REAR PARTY ROOM STORAGE AREA SO AS TO HAVE ALL BOXES AND ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
41
86
Nov 22, 2011
License
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Wasabi Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Wasabi Cafe on file is from Aug 17, 2020. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Wasabi Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Wasabi Cafe.
Has Wasabi Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Wasabi Cafe have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Wasabi Cafe 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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