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HIGGINS TAVERN

3259 N RACINE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60657 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

HIGGINS TAVERN has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 24, 2010. The most recent inspection, on February 22, 2019, found no infractions.

4 of 10 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, Protecting food from contamination and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 once on June 30, 2015. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on May 30, 2014. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • 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 May 30, 2014. 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 12 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on August 2, 2017. For example: CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES

  • 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 August 31, 2016. For example: LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED

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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST STORE ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS INVERTED (WITH HANDLES PRESENTED TO CONSUMER).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE FOIL LINING SHELF IN KITCHEN DRY STORAGE. MUST REPLACE BROKEN LID ON PLASTIC CHIP CONTAINER THAT IS BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE. MUST MAINTAIN ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT TO BE SMOOTH, NON-ABSORBENT AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST PAINT OR SEAL RAW WOODEN SHELVING IN LIQUOR CLOSET BEHIND BAR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN DUST FROM SHELVING IN WALK IN COOLER.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR LEAK AT BASE OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET.
  3. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR ICE BIN OF THE ICE MACHINE WITH SOME RUST. MUST REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE A LIGHT SHIELD OR SHATTER PROOF BULB FOR THE KITCHEN LIGHT.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO EXPOSED HANDSINK AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL AN EXPOSED HANDSINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE, SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. OBSERVED LEAKS AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET NECK. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • WALK IN COOLER THERMOMETER NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • OUT OF COMPLIANCE. INFORMATION GIVEN, INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • FOOD (ICE) NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. INSIDE OF ICE MACHINE NOTED ACCUMULATION OF BLACK AND BROWN SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON THE INTERIOR CONTACT SURFACES OF ICE MACHINE, ICE IS BEING USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. MUST TURN OFF ICE MACHINE REMOVED ICE AND HAVE INTERIOR SURFACES CLEANED AND SANITIZED. ICE MACHINE WAS CLEANED AND SANITIZED DURING INSPECTION. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005(A)
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • RODENT ACTIVITY INSIDE PREMISES. NOTED SEVEN RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR ALONG WALLBASE BEHIND ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZED AFECTED AREA. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED CHIPPED AND PEELING PAINT ON CEILING IN REAR STORAGE ROOM AND WALL IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. MUST SCRAPE AND REPAINT CEILING AND WALLS. MUST SEAL OPENINGS INTO WALL BEHIND ICE MACHINE AND OPENING INTO FLOOR IN THE WATER HEATER ROOM. MUST REPAIR OPENINGS.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR LEAKY FAUCET NECK AT FRONT BAR 3COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REMOVE ACCUMULATION OF DUST FROM CEILING VENTS IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREA.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • ICE SCOOPS STORED INSIDE OF ICE BIN AT FRONT BAR. MUST PROPERLY STORE IN A CLEAN CONTAINER.
  8. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE MACHINE WITH SOME RUST. INSTD TO REMOVE SAME.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • LIGHTSHIELD MISSING IN WALK-IN COOLER. PROVIDE SAME.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • DRAIN LINES IMPROPERLY DRAINING INTO 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTD TO ROUTE DRAIN LINES PROPERLY.
  9. Canvass

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED RUSTED STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES INSIDE OF THE ICE MACHINE. MUST REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE THE MACHINE. OBSERVED COLD PLATE AND DRAIN LINES IN CONTACT WITH CONSUMABLE ICE IN BOTH ICE BINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE COLD PLATE AND DRAIN LINES FROM CONSUMABLE ICE OR REPLACE ICE BINS.

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