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EARWAX RECORDS & CAFE

1561 N MILWAUKEE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60622 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

EARWAX RECORDS & CAFE has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 7, 2010. The most recent inspection, on November 20, 2012, found no infractions.

3 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: Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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 once on January 26, 2011. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 once on October 7, 2010. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 10 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on January 26, 2011. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 14, 2010. 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 once on October 7, 2010. 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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint

    4 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. FOUND 15 RODENT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT AREA, UNDER AND BEHIND EQUIPMENT, CLUTTER CAUSING A RODENT HARBORAGE, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND CLOSE/SEAL ALL OUTER OPENING TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED
    • 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. CONTINUED NON COMPLIANCE FROM REPORT #419459, DATED 10/07/2010, FOR VIOLATIONS #32, #33, #34, AND #41, SEE PREVIOUS REPORT, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED
    • 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. MUST CLEAN HOODED AREA ABOVE FRONT COOKING EQUIPMENT
    • 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 REPAIR LEAKING PIPES UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • ALL CLEAN MULTI USE UTENSILS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED,INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND RUSTY SHELVING INSIDE 3 DOOR COOLER,INTERIOR TOP OF CHEST FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • KITCHEN EQUIPMENTS,DEEP FRYER,SHELVINGS,COOLERS,TOPS/BOTTOMS OF FOOD PREP TABLES,CUTTING BOARDS,DISHMACHINE,ICE MACHINE,BEHIND FRONT COUNTERS REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING INCLUDING BASEMENT.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM REAR STAIRWELL POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.
  6. Canvass

    7 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.FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER OR VALID DOCUMENTATION ON PREMISES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • All dishwashing machines must be of a type that complies with all requirements of the plumbing section of the Municipal Code of Chicago and Rules and Regulation of the Board of Health.FOUND 3 COMP SINK NOT MAINTAINED THAT IS GREASE TRAP BOX BENEATH SAID SINK UNCLEAN IS OVERFLOWING GREASE ON FLOOR.
    • 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.ALL CLEAN MULTI USE UTENSILS MUST BE PROPERLY STORED,INVERTED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION BEFORE USE.
    • 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.FOUND RUSTY SHELVING INSIDE 3 DOOR COOLER,INTERIOR TOP OF CHEST FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR.
    • 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.KITCHEN EQUIPMENTS,DEEP FRYER,SHELVINGS,COOLERS,TOPS/BOTTOMS OF FOOD PREP TABLES,CUTTING BOARDS,DISHMACHINE,ICE MACHINE,BEHIND FRONT COUNTERS REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING.
    • 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.FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS REQUIRE DETAIL CLEANING INCLUDING BASEMENT.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM REAR STAIRWELL POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE.

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