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Damen Kitchen & Cellar

4639 N Damen AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Damen Kitchen & Cellar has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 15, 2010. The most recent inspection, on October 15, 2012, found no infractions.

1 of 3 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.

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 once on February 10, 2011. For example: HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 10, 2011. 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 10, 2011. 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 February 10, 2011. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES, OBSERVED FOOD MANAGER PERFORMING MULTI TASK AND NO WASHING HIS HANDS. CLEANING EQUIPMENT, TOUCHING HIS FACE, CAME OUT OF PREP AREA TO TALK TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, RETURED TO PREP AREA PUT ON GLOVES AND PREPARED A SANDWICH, NEVER WASHING HIS HAND. INSTRUCTED, HANDS MUST BE WASHED AFTER ANY CONTAMINATING CONDITION WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP AT EXPOSED SINK. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-010[A].
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. [PREPARING SANDWICHES, SALADS, BAGELS.] MUST HAVE A CETIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.
    • 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 PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND BAGELS STORAGE SHELVES/BASKETS.
    • 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 CLEAN FLOORS AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS THRU-OUT.
    • 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 SEAL RUSTY GREASE TRAP UNDER 3PART SINK
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination. CLEANING TOWEL MUST BE PROPERLY STORED.
  3. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD (SOUP AT 175F) IS PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASHGUARD AT THE EXPOSED HANDSINK BETWEEN THE HANDSINK AND THE BAGEL STORAGE RACKS.
    • 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. SEAL THE HOLES IN THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE STORAGE CASE AND THE ICE MACHINE. STORE THE BOXES OF BEER OFF OF THE FLOOR NEAR THE BACK DOOR.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. THE VENTILATION FAN IN THE RESTROOM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. MUST INSTALL.

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