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CJ'S CHICKEN

229 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60612 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

CJ'S CHICKEN has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 19, 2019. The most recent inspection, on October 7, 2020, found no infractions.

3 of 7 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 3, 2020. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 November 22, 2019. For example: PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 2 times on May 17, 2019. 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 March 3, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on March 3, 2020. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • NO HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WITH HOT AND COLD WATER, DRYING PROVISIONS AND HAND WASHING CLEANSER AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(c)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPROXIMATE 1 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TIGHT SEAL TO PREVENT RODENTS AND PESTS AND MAINTAIN
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED A SMALL CHILD IN THE PREP AREA AT TIME OF INSPECTION. ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONS SHALL BE IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. PERSONS unnecessary to the RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT operation are not allowed in the FOOD preparation, FOOD storage, or WAREWASHING areas. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED WHITE BUCKETS IN THE REAR DISH WASHING AREA, PREP AREA AND THE FRONT SERVICE AREA AND BOXES OF INSULATED CUPS ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE 6 INCHES OR MORE FROM THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MAINTENANCE TOOLS, UNUSED EQUIPMENT, AND PERSONAL ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, REMOVE UNUSED AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
  3. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED PROCEDURE, BUT NO CLEAN UP KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEA EVENTS DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 21. PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN IN A PAN ON THE PREP TABLE UNDER A HEAT LAMP AT AN IMPROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE (109.4 DEGREE F). INSTRUCTED THAT HOT HOLDING SHOULD BE 135 DEGREE F OR ABOVE. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD. APPROX 2 LB OF CHICKEN AND $15 VALUE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER OF BUCKETS, KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AND BOXES STORED IN BETWEEN THE EMPLOYEE BATHROOM AND WAREWASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CEILING TILE IN DISREPAIR ABOVE THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE FROM THE EMPLOYEE'S. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED UNNECCESARY ITEMS IN REAR GARBAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, BUCKETS, UNUSED REFRIGERATION PIECES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DISCONNECTED/INOPERABLE HOOD SYSTEM IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PER FACILITY MANAGER THIS HOOD WILL NOT BE USED. HOOD SYSTEM DIRECTLY NEXT TO IT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT FRYERS .
  5. License

    11 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING CLEANSER AVAILABLE AT THE HAND WASHING SINK DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED FRONT DISPLAY COOLER INOPERABLE.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN PROPER REFRIGERATION IN FACILITY. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO TEST KIT ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION FOR CHECKING SANITIZING SOLUTION AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DIRT/DUST DEBRIS ON SHELVING IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED UNNECCESARY ITEMS IN REAR GARBAGE AREA TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, BUCKETS, UNUSED REFRIGERATION PIECES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROKEN/MISSING WALL COVING IN FRONT OF FACILITY NEAR DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A HOLE IN WALL NEAR 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ENCLOSE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST AND DIRT FILLED FANS ABOVE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DISCONNECTED/INOPERABLE HOOD SYSTEM IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PER FACILITY MANAGER THIS HOOD WILL NOT BE USED. HOOD SYSTEM DIRECTLY NEXT TO IT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT FRYERS UNNDERNEATH.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. License

    0 infractions

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