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CAFE MONSIVAIS

1637 W 18TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CAFE MONSIVAIS has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since December 10, 2014. The most recent inspection, on February 8, 2019, found no infractions.

2 of 6 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 and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 once on October 20, 2016. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 December 1, 2015. 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 11 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on October 20, 2016. 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 20, 2016. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 9, 2015. For example: FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET

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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (SHRIMP, COCONUT MILK, BEEF) IN CONTAINERS LOCATED IN THE REFRIGERATOR WITHOUT PROPER LABELS CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME AND DATE. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINITAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR OF REFRIGERATION UNIT WITH MINOR FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOORS THRU OUT THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UNDER AND AROUND ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS, UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, UNDER DISH MACHINE AND BASEMENT STAIRS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED BROKEN AND MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED COFFEE MACHINE NOT IN USE IN BEVERAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR PROVIDE HAND SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE EVERYTHING AT LEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND BASEMENT AREAS(DEAD ROACHES).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR STORAGE AREA. SEAL ALL OPENINGS, CRACKS, CREVICES, IN WALLS AND CEILINGS, ALONG BASEBOARDS, ETC IN ALL AREAS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN DISH WASHING/PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK IN FRONT BEVERAGE AREA. INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
  4. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OBSERVED 5 LIVE ROACHES CRAWLING ON FLOOR IN CORNER NEAR REFRIGERATOR, BEHIND DOOR AND ALONG BASEBOARDS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND BASEMENT AREAS(DEAD ROACHES).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPLACE DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR STORAGE AREA. SEAL ALL OPENINGS, CRACKS, CREVICES, IN WALLS AND CEILINGS, ALONG BASEBOARDS, ETC IN ALL AREAS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPLACE DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN DISH WASHING/PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK IN FRONT BEVERAGE AREA. INSTALL BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPERS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
  5. Canvass

    0 infractions

  6. License

    3 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST SEAL NOTICEABLE OPENINGS AROUND PLUMBING/ELECTRICAL FIXTURES WHERE NOTED TO MANAGER AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A VISIBLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE COFFEE STATION AND MOP SINK.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • BASEMENT MUST BE FREE OF CLUTTER AND MAINTAIN ALSO,ITEMS STORED MUST BE ELEVATED 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALL DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.

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