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Custom House

500 S DEARBORN ST, CHICAGO, IL 60605 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Custom House has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 13, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 15, 2013, found no infractions.

1 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: Pests.

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.

  • 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 January 31, 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 9 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on January 31, 2012. 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 February 7, 2012. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded once on April 13, 2010. For example: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

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 Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Correct By: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 Violation Codes: Inspector Comments: FOUND BROKEN BASE COVE FLOORING BY COFFEE STATION AT DISHWASHING ROOM. FOUND BROKEN FLOOR TILES BY STOCK POT.(MUST REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR TILES TO PREVENT HARBORAGE OF PESTS).
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND FRUIT FLY ACTIVITY AT DISHWASHING AREAS ON WALLS AND CEILING. (OBSERVED ABOUT 30 FRUIT FLIES). SERIOUS VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND COFFEE STATION COUNTERTOPS NOT CLEAN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FOUND BROKEN BASE COVE FLOORING BY COFFEE STATION AT DISHWASHING ROOM. FOUND BROKEN FLOOR TILES BY STOCK POT.(MUST REPAIR BROKEN FLOOR TILES TO PREVENT HARBORAGE OF PESTS).
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SEE REPORT DATED ON 08/03/11
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • SEE REPORT DATED ON 08/03/11.
  5. 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
      • 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 OVER 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES BY MIXER, FRONT COUNTER AND AT BAR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY BY DATE OF REINSPECTION (08/10/11).
    • 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. THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED SLIGHT LIME BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE, FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVES IN PREP AREA. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
    • 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. OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA UNDER AND AROUND COOKING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOOR THROUGHOUT PREP/DISHWASH AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 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. OBSERVED FOOD/DIRT BULD UP ON WALLS IN PREP AREA/DISHWASH AREA ALSO OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES ABOVE PREP AREA AND MISSING CEILING TILES ABOVE DISHMACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN WALLS, REPLACE ALL STAINED/DAMAGED CEILING TILES AND PROVIDE AND INSTALL CEILING TILES WHERE MISSING.
    • 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. OBSERVED BURNED OUT CEILING LIGHT BULBS ABOVE PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND INSTALL WORKING LIGHT BULBS WHERE NEEDED.
    • 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. 2-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET LEAKING AT BASE AND DISHMACHINE SPRAYER PIPE LEAKS UNDER COMPARTMENT. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SINKS.
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Found counter not wiped down by coffee station.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • Found ice scoop not properly stored.
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 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 not corrected.(from report dated 2-17-09 report# 156173) Found no backflow prevention devices for ice machine and 3 coffee machines.
    • 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. Found pots not stored properly under preparation tables at rear of premises.

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