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56TH STREET HAROLD'S GRILL AND WAFFLES

5608 S ASHLAND AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

56TH STREET HAROLD'S GRILL AND WAFFLES has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 15, 2018. The most recent inspection, on May 6, 2021, recorded 5 infractions.

1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food source, labelling and allergens.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 29, 2021. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times on June 10, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times on June 10, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on April 29, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 16 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on May 6, 2021. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

5 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKY PIPE UNDER HANDWASHING SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • ALL WASHROOMS USED BY FEMALES MUST HAVE A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR SANITARY NAPKINS. MUST PROVIDE
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ALL WALL AREAS, BASEBOARDS IN PREP AREAS NOT CLEAN OF DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN PREP AREAS. MUST REPAIR
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION NOT WORKING INSIDE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR
  2. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. APPROX 40-LBS OF RAW CHICKEN PIECES INSIDE COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF 50.0F, 52.0F AND APPROX 20-LBS OF RAW GIZZARDS AT 46.0F. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COLD FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW. ALL FOODS WAS REMOVED AND DISCARDED BY PIC AT COST APPROX $100.00,-COS. PRIORITY VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-005
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL ON SITE. OBSERVED 63 MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR INSIDE FURNACE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/ SANITIZE ALL AREAS. RECOMMENED PEST SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKY PIPE UNDER HANDWASHING SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • ALL WASHROOMS USED BY FEMALES MUST HAVE A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR SANITARY NAPKINS. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ALL WALL AREAS, BASEBOARDS IN PREP AREAS NOT CLEAN OF DEBRIS. MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALLS IN PREP AREAS. MUST REPAIR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION NOT WORKING INSIDE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR.
  3. Complaint

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint

    13 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO VOMIT OR DIARRHEA PROCEDURE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND NO CITATION ISSUED MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-005.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-7-38-030(c)
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED FRIED CHICKEN UNDER WARMING LIGHTS RANGING FROM 89F TO 112F. TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD SHALL BE MAINTAINED AT 135F OR ABOVE. OWNER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 10LBS VALUED AT $9.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED CHICKEN, FISH, PUDDING AND COLESLAW AT 58F. TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD SHALL BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. OWNER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 4LBS VALUED AT $20.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 COMBINED WITH ABOVE CITATION
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • VARIETY OF FOODS NOT PROPERLY LABELED (COLESLAW, DRESSING) STORED INSIDE THE WA FRONT COOLER. FOOD PREPARED AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS SHALL BE PROPERLY LABELED TO INDICATE THE DAY OR DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD SHALL BE DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA AT 53F. OWNER ADJUSTED THE TEMPERATURE DIAL UPON ARRIVAL. EQUIPMENT FOR COOLING SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE FOOD TEMPERATURES AT 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED BULK CONTAINER WITH FLOUR INSIDE WITHOUT A LABEL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABEL AND MAINTAIN
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROOMS, MOPS, AND DUST PANS STORED ON THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE 6 INCHES OR MORE ABOVE THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS, WALLS AND SHELVES WITH ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RUSTING SHELVES INSIDE THE COOLERS LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON THE HOOD VENTILATION ABOVE THE FRYER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  5. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • RUSTY SURFACE ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN. DUCT TAPE BEING USED TO REPAIR RUBBER GASKET OF UPRIGHT COOLER. INSTD TO REPAIR GASKET PROPERLY, DUCT TAPE IS PROHIBITED. INADEQUATE SHELVING FOR COOLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER SHELVING.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INTERIOR TOP PANEL OF HOOD AT WEST END IN POOR REPAIR, LOOSE COVERING. INSTD TO REPAIR AND HAVE SURFACE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

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