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BUFFALO SAM

508 S KOSTNER AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60624 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

BUFFALO SAM has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 20, 2010. The most recent inspection, on October 21, 2020, found no infractions.

1 of 9 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food temperature control and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 29, 2020. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on June 18, 2020. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 October 11, 2016. For example: OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED

  • 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 once on May 20, 2010. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

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.

9 inspections

  1. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SINGED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON SITE OR NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MUST PROVIDE PROPERLY WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL OF REFRIGERATION UNITS ON PREMISE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MUST PROVIDE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SINGED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE ON SITE OR NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE FOR TESTING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • MUST PROVIDE PROPERLY WORKING THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL OF REFRIGERATION UNITS ON PREMISE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • MUST PROVIDE EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR TESTING SANITIZING SOLUTION PPM AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED GREASE BUCKETS STACKED AND STORED INSIDE STORAGE ROOM CONNECTED TO TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS AND MAINTAIN PREMISE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • OBSERVED UNHYGIENIC FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES BY A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE. OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE TOUCH A WET WIPING CLOTH ON THE PREP TABLE THEN PROCEED TO PREPARE CHICKEN IN THE BREADING WITHOUT TAKING OFF THE GLOVES AND WASHING HIS HANDS. ALSO, OBSERVED THE EMPLOYEE TAKE OFF AND PUT ON A NEW PAIR OF GLOVES WITHOUT FIRST WASHING HIS HANDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT EMPLOYEES ARE PROPERLY TRAINED TO WASH THEIR HANDS WHEN NECESSARY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REMOVE THE CARDBOARD ON THE FLOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN WALLS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR THE LEAK AT THE DRAIN LINE OF THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE WET WIPING CLOTHS IN A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FINISH CLEANING ALL RACKS AND SHELVES INSIDE WALKK-IN COOLER(INCLUDING THE DOOR), ALL CUTTING BOARDS AND PREP TABLES, EXTERIORS OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS, INTERIOR OF REACH-IN FREEZER IN FOOD PREP AREA, AND EXTERIORS OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FINISH CLEANING ALL WALLS, DOORS, CEILING TILES THE HOOD AND LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT ALL AREAS OF OPERATION.
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED, GREASE AND DEBRIS FOUND STUCK ON THE LID EXTERIOR - MUST KEEP THE OUTSIDE OF THE GREASE DUMPSTER CLEAN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL RACKS AND SHELVES INSIDE WALKK-IN COOLER(INCLUDING THE DOOR), ALL CUTTING BOARDS AND PREP TABLES, EXTERIORS OF BULK FOOD CONTAINERS, INTERIOR OF REACH-IN FREEZER IN FOOD PREP AREA, AND EXTERIORS OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR IN WALK-IN FREEZER.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL WALLS, DOORS, CEILING TILES THE HOOD AND LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT ALL AREAS OF OPERATION.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • ALL EMPLOYEE(S) HANDLING OPEN FOODS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT(S).
  7. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR TOP PORTION OF THE PREP COOLER AND THE INSIDE OF 2 DOOR FREEZER TO REMOVE SPILLS AND DEBRIS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN THE FLOOR CORNERS INSIDE THE FURNACE ROOM TO REMOVE DEBRIS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN DUST FROM THE VENT COVER IN THE TOILET ROOM.
  8. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 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. MUST CLEAN SHELVES INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN. REPLACE OR REPAIR LOOSE RUBBER GASKETS AT REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER DOORS WHERE NEEDED.
    • 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. CLEAN BOTTOM OF FRYERS TO REMOVE DUST AND GREASE. CLEAN HOODS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN (CDI).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR IN CLOSET WHERE FURNACE LOCATED.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • FINISH WALLS IN FURNACE CLOSET; DRY WALL NOTED.
  9. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.MUST LABEL BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS,DESSERTS.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • 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.MUST STORE KNIVES FROM IN BETWEEN EQUIPMENT.
    • 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.MUST REMOVE CARD BOARD FROM PREP TABLES.
    • 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.MUST CLEAN REACH IN FREEZER,SODA MACHINE NOZZLES,WALL VENT.
    • 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.MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILE NEXT TO MOP SINK
    • 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.MUST CLEAN WALL IN PREP AREA.MUST REPLACE LOOSE AND DAMAGED WALL BASES IN PREP AREA & FURNANCE ROOM.MUST SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES IN FURNANCE ROOM
    • 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 ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN PREP AREA & LOBBY.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • 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 REPAIR LEAKY PIPE AT HAND SINK IN TOILET ROOM.

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