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HABANERO BAJA GRILL

178 N FRANKLIN ST, CHICAGO, IL 60606 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HABANERO BAJA GRILL has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 16, 2017. The most recent inspection, on January 22, 2021, found no infractions.

1 of 5 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 Food source, labelling and allergens.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 3, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 3, 2019. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 3, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 October 3, 2019. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

  • 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 October 3, 2019. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED VARIOUS TCS FOODS (BAKED BEANS,RICE,COOKED SLICED CHICKEN)IN WALK IN COOLER WITH IMPROPER DATE MARKING LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD OR USE BY DATE LABELS (NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS) FOR ALL READY TO EAT , REFRIGERATED FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PERSON IN CHARGE CORRECTED DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION 4 DRAWER UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED THAT TOILET ROOM DOOR ARE NOT CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE.TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST REMAIN CLOSED EXCEPT DURING CLEANING OPERATIONS.
  3. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICY.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION-7-38.010-NO CITATION ISSUED)
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEA PROCEDURE AND CLEAN-UP KIT ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE SAID PROCEDURE ALONG WITH REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLEAN-UP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • TEMPERATURE OF WATER RUNNING THROUGH MIXING FAUCET ON KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK OBSERVED TO BE 87.5F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT WATER COMING THROUGH MIXING VALVE AT MINIMAL 100 .0 F AT HAND WASHING SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD (CHICKEN, RICE,FISH) STORED IN REFRIGERATED UNITS.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.(PRIORITY 7-38-005) CITATION ISSUED
    • 23. PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION
      • OBSERVED VARIOUS TCS FOODS (BAKED BEANS,RICE,COOKED SLICED CHICKEN)IN WALK IN COOLER WITH IMPROPER DATE MARKING LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD OR USE BY DATE LABELS (NOT TO EXCEED 7 DAYS) FOR ALL READY TO EAT , REFRIGERATED FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PERSON IN CHARGE CORRECTED DURING TIME OF INSPECTION.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION 4 DRAWER UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED THAT TOILET ROOM DOOR ARE NOT CLOSED WHEN NOT IN USE.TOILET ROOM DOOR MUST REMAIN CLOSED EXCEPT DURING CLEANING OPERATIONS.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH AND BOXES AND LIDS WIDE OPEN WITH TRASH ABOVE RIM.MUST KEEP OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA MAINTAINED AND TRASHCANS COVERED AT ALL TIMES.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO VENTLATION INSIDE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL
  5. License

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Cooking hood not functioning properly. Hood screen reads "UV door open." Must repair and maintain same.

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