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IDOF FRESH MEDITERRANEAN

19 N WELLS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60606 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

IDOF FRESH MEDITERRANEAN has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 27, 2017. The most recent inspection, on September 29, 2022, found no infractions.

2 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Food source, labelling and allergens and Food temperature control.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 29, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 29, 2019. For example: PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

  • 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 October 29, 2019. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 29, 2019. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 29, 2019. For example: IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED

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. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    10 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 READY TO EAT, TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (BURGER,HUMUS )NOT PROPERLY DATED , STORED LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING WITH DISPOSITION DATE FOR RTE FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD OVER 24 HOURS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT AND HOT HOLDING UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION AND HOT HOLD UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • OBSERVED THAT EMPLOYEE WORE WRIST WATCHES ON HANDS WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD.MUST REMOVE ALL JEWELRY EXCEPT PLAIN WEDDING BAND FROM HANDS WHILE WORKING WITH EXPOSED FOOD
    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED THAT UTENSILS IN USE ARE STORED IN COLD STATIONARY WATER.MUST STORED UTENSILS UNDER RUNNING COLD WATER, UNDER HOT WATER (135 F AND ABOVE),IN FOOD HANDLE NOT TOUCHING FOOD AND IN CLEAN PLACE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN RUBBER GASKET ON DOOR TO REACH IN COOLER IN REAR STORAGE AREA COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO SINK STOPPERS FOR THE WARE WASHING 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPLACE MISSING AND STAINED- DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR PREP AREA AND BATHROOM
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SMOKE IN FACILITY KITCHEN AND DINING AREA DUE BACK DRAFT FROM HUD SYSTEM . MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • FOUND APPROX 10-LBS OF RAW GROUND BEEF INSIDE COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 50.4F. INSTRUCTED THAT COLD FOODS MUST BE MAINTAIN AT 40.0F OR BELOW. FOODS REMOVED AND DISCARDED BY MANAGER AT COST APPROX $ 20.00. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A
    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS USING POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES DURING INSPECTION. . 2-EMPLOYEES HANDLING MONEY AND CUSTOMERS CREDIT CARDS DID NOT WASH HANDS BEFORE PUTTING GLOVES ON TO PREPARED AND HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS,BREAD, FALAFEL FOR WRAP SANDWICHES. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WASH HEIR HANDS PRIOR TO HANDLING FOOD OR AFTER HANDS HAVE BECOME CONTAMINATED. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • OBSERVED DRY BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.
  5. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED MINOR FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE OF 3 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Found excessive grease, rust, and dirt accumulation on and around floor grease trap door. Must detail clean and sanitize door (and remove rust). Must re-seal door to eliminate gap around edge of door. Must maintain same.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Observed large gaps between wall coving and edge of floor tiles in the employee restaurant. Must either re-grout to fill gap or replace coving to eliminate gaps. Found large gaps in between tiles on floors in the following areas: under and around 3 comp sink, under and around the hand sink in rear prep; around the floor grease trap; and in rear prep area under bag in the box sodas. Found excessive dirt accumulation in these gaps. Must detail and re-grout clean these areas to eliminate large gaps. Must maintain all.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • OBSERVED ONLY 2 FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATES ON SITE AND 5 EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL 3 FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATES AND MEET REQUIREMENT.
  6. License

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Found excessive grease, rust, and dirt accumulation on and around floor grease trap door. Must detail clean and sanitize door (and remove rust). Must re-seal door to eliminate gap around edge of door. Must maintain same.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Observed large gaps between wall coving and edge of floor tiles in the employee restaurant. Must either re-grout to fill gap or replace coving to eliminate gaps. Found large gaps in between tiles on floors in the following areas: under and around 3 comp sink, under and around the hand sink in rear prep; around the floor grease trap; and in rear prep area under bag in the box sodas. Found excessive dirt accumulation in these gaps. Must detail and re-grout clean these areas to eliminate large gaps. Must maintain all.

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