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CAFE DESCARTES

6451 N SHERIDAN RD, CHICAGO, IL 60626 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE DESCARTES has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 13, 2012. The most recent inspection, on October 2, 2014, found no 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 source, labelling and allergens, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

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 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 1, 2014. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 1, 2014. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 once on November 8, 2013. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 8, 2013. 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 1, 2014. For example: LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

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

    3 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • FOUND BULK FOOD NOT LABELED.(COFFEE BEANS,ETC.)
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • FOUND CHANDELIER ABOVE ESPRESSO MACHINE WITH BULBS NOT SHIELDED.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOUND FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT.
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE,2 COOKED CROISSANT FILLED WITH FETA CHEESE AND SPINACH AT TEMP OF 60.9F,AND 2 COOKED CROISSANT FILLED WITH CHEESE AT TEMP OF 64.9F. NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOG PROVIDED AT PRESENT TIME. FOOD DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUND:4 EACH, VALUE:$12 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • NO LABEL OF FOOD INGREDIENT PROVIDED AT EACH SLICED SWEETS FOR CUSTOMERS,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABEL WITH FOOD SOURCE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CAULKING AROUND SPLASH GUARD AT EXPOSED HAND SINK IS IN POOR REPAIR/BROKEN,INSTRUCTED TO RESEAL WITH A SMOOTH SURFACE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • BROKEN STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS,INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • NO ICE SCOOP PROVIDED AT ICE BIN AT COFFEE STATION, FRONT PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SAID SCOOP,TO MINIMIZE CONTAMINATION.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINK. NEED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND COUNTER ON BOTH SIDE OF THE SINKS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, REMOVE DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • VENTILATION IS NEEDED IN BOTH WASHROOMS.
  5. License

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED AT BOTH EXPOSED HAND SINK. NEED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND COUNTER ON BOTH SIDE OF THE SINKS.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES, REMOVE DEBRIS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON BOTH WASHROOM DOORS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED A TOP LOADING GELATO MACHINE, UNABLE TO SANITIZE DUE TO NO FAUCET WITH RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER PROVIDED ABOVE THE UNIT NOR A WATER SPRAYER ON THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ONE OR THE OTHER. TAGGED UNIT "HELD FOR INSPECTION". FAX A LETTER WHEN VIOLATION IS CORRECTED. FAX #312-746-4240.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • VENTILATION IS NEEDED IN BOTH WASHROOMS.

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