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EXCEL

8643 S RACINE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60620 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

EXCEL has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 25, 2011. The most recent inspection, on September 30, 2016, found no infractions.

1 of 4 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 temperature control, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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.

  • 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 March 11, 2011. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 February 25, 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 February 25, 2011. 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 12 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 10, 2013. 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 10, 2013. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN SURFACES BEHIND/UNDER SERVICE COUNTER AT FRONT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALLBASE AT CORNERS THROUGHTOUT PREMISES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WALL AT REAR AND CEILING IN POOR REPAIR WITH LARGE HOLES. REPAIR SAME.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON TOILET DOOR IN POOR REPAIR. REPAIR SAME.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAK AT ELBOW OF WASHBOWL IN WASHROOM AND SLOW DRAIN AT 1 COMP SINK BEHIND CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER. REPAIR SAME.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE CLUTTER/DEBRIS IN FURNANCE AREA AND WHERE NECESSARY. REMOVE OR PROPERLY STORE UNUSED EQUIPMENT WHERE NECESSARY. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN STORAGE AREAS BEHIND SERVICE COUNTER.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • ALL SHELVES THROUGHOUT THAT ARE NO LONGER EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS(USED & UNUSED), ALL SHELVES & COUNTERS, ALL SINKS, ALL USED AND UNUSED FOOD EQUIPMENT & ALL OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES THROUGHOUT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST REPAIR SECTIONS OF FLOORS THAT ARE CAVING IN AND REPLACE ALL MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS ALONG ALL WALL BASES, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH & BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPAIR, CLEAN AND/OR PAINT ALL WALLS & DOORS THROUGHOUT WHERE NEEDED. SEAL ALL LOOSE WALL COVE. CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS AND REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • ACCURATE THERMOMETERS IN ALL WORKING COOLERS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELIMINATE ALL CLUTTERED AREAS THROUGHOUT.
  4. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 40 MICE DROPPINGS OBSERVED SCATTERED ALONG BASES OF THE WALLS AND ON WALL BORDERS AND ON SHELVES-MUST CLEAN & SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, SEAL UP ALL OPENINGS FOUND, REQUEST VISIT FROM PEST CONTROL COMPANY, AND REPAIR FRONT DOOR MAKING IT TIGHT FITTING AT BOTTOM TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY-CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-020
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • 3 COMPARTMENT SINK HAS A LEAKY FAUCET AND IS NOT DRAINING PROPERLY-MUST REPAIR IT-CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-030
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PAINT ALL SHELVES THROUGHOUT THAT ARE NO LONGER EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS(USED & UNUSED), ALL SHELVES & COUNTERS, ALL SINKS, ALL USED AND UNUSED FOOD EQUIPMENT & ALL OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES THROUGHOUT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST REPAIR SECTIONS OF FLOORS THAT ARE CAVING IN AND REPLACE ALL MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS ALONG ALL WALL BASES, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH & BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPAIR, CLEAN AND/OR PAINT ALL WALLS & DOORS THROUGHOUT WHERE NEEDED. SEAL ALL LOOSE WALL COVE. CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS AND REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • PROVIDE ACCURATE THERMOMETERS IN ALL WORKING COOLERS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELIMINATE ALL CLUTTERED AREAS THROUGHOUT.

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