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ARGO TEA CAFE

958 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60614 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ARGO TEA CAFE has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 26, 2010. The most recent inspection, on September 9, 2013, found no infractions.

3 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 and Pests.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 26, 2012. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 26, 2012. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 4 times on July 26, 2010. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 26, 2012. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Permits, records and postingLower risk

    Operating permits, required signage, written procedures and logs. These findings are administrative: the documentation was missing or out of date at the time of inspection.

    Recorded once on July 26, 2010. For example: * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS

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. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED MILK AT 46.4-47.4F, AND HALF & HALF CREAMER AT 48.0F. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED 7 GALLONS OF FOOD WORTH $19. MUST MAINTAIN COLD FOODS BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENTS IN THE BASEMENT. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 30 RAT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT BEHIND THE REFRIGERAT0RS, UNDER THE DRY STORAGE SHELVES, NEAR THE HOT WATER HEATER AND IN THE UTILITY CLOSET. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT AREA ALONG WALLS AND UNDER EQUIPMENT.
  4. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Complaint

    11 infractions

    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • All food establishments shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot and cold water under pressure properly connected to the city water supply. NO HOT WATER THROUGHOUT PREMISES. HOT WATER TANK UNABLE TO REMAIN ON AND PROVIDE HOT WATER. WATER TEMPERATURE FOUND AT 65.8F.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20 SMALL FLIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS. THROUGHOUT 1ST FLOOR PREP, IN WASHROOM, AT BASEMENT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MUST ELIMINATE SOURCE OF BREEDING FLIES IE: WET ROTTED WOODEN SHELVING UNDER ICE BIN IN 1ST FLOOR PREP. CONTINUE TREATING ESTABLISHMENT FOR FLIES AND MINIMIZE/ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY.
    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • One copy of the Food Inspection Report Summary must be displayed and visible to all customers. SUMMARY REPORT FROM 10-1-08 #152625 NOT POSTED VISIBLE TO CUSTOMERS.
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION FROM 10-1-08 #152625 NOT CORRECTED. #36-MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD IN BASEMENT DRY STORAGE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. ALL SHELVING THROUGHOUT 1ST FLOOR PREP, IN ALL CABINETS WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS, MUST CLEAN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. INTERIOR 1ST FLOOR ICE MACHINE MUST CLEAN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. ROTTED/MISSING WOOD BASEBOARD AT 1ST FLOOR ICE MACHINE, MUST REPLACE/REPAIR. FLOORS THROUGHOUT 1ST FLOOR PREP WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS MUST CLEAN. POOLING WATER IN SEVERAL AREAS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT MUST REMOVE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. WALL AT THREE COMPARTMENT AND EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH PEELING PAINT. MUST REMOVE/REPAIR.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. MUST PROVIDE LIGHTING IN BOTH REACH-IN FREEZERS.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. PROVIDE FOR FRONT DAIRY COOLER.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN FOOD PREP AREA.

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