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LARSA'S MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

3146 W TOUHY AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60645 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

LARSA'S MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 23, 2017. The most recent inspection, on July 20, 2022, found no infractions.

1 of 7 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, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2022. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 8, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 on April 8, 2022. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • 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 April 8, 2022. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 April 15, 2022. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • SPLASH GUARD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WITH A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE, NON ABSORBENT SPLASH GUARD.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • 5-501.115 MUST REMOVE ALL PILED WOOD AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS FROM THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13 NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
  3. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO WRITTEN CLEANING PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMIT/DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND THE FOLLOWING TCS READY TO EAT FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE IN THE COOKS LINE COOLER. HUMMUS @ 49.5F, EGGPLANT @ 49.5F, YOGURT SAUCE @ 50.7F. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • THE ABOVE MENTIONED COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE. COOLER NOTED AT 50F WITH HUMMUS AT 49.5F. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED, MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND C.D.P.H CONTACTED FOR TAG REMOVAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 50 MICE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE HALLWAY STORAGE ROOM AND BEHIND THE HOT WATER TANK, ALONG THE BASEBOARD UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AREAS AND RECOMMEND HAVING THE PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT FOR MICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST NOT USE TAPE OR PLASTIC AS A MEANS OF REPAIR TO SECURE DRAINAGE HOSE AT THE KITCHEN HAND SINK.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS PORTION OF THE SPLASH GUARD AT THE KITCHEN HAND SINK.----EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL PILED WOOD AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS FROM THE OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OPEN HOLE/SEAM IN THE BASEBOARD COVING BEHIND THE HOT WATER HEATER. MUST SEAL.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER. MUST PROVIDE.
  4. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • FOUND NO VOMIT SPILL KIT TO MATCH CURRENT CLEANUP POLICY.PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.7-38-005. MUST OBTAIN VOMIT SPILLKIT WITH POLICY .
  5. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(A) NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 ALL ITEMS STORED ON REAR OUTDOOR AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.
  6. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(A) NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • ALL PRE-PACKAGED PITA CHIPS AND DESSERTS FOR SALE MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • 3-304.14 WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION AT ALL TIMES IN BETWEEN USE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-101.19 RAW WOODEN SHELVING IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM MUST BE PAINTED OR SEALED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • 4-301.12(A) OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING POTS, PANS, UTENSILS AND CUTTING BOARDS AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK WITHOUT THE SINK SET TO WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO SET SINK PROPERLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • 4-204.119 NO DRAINBOARD AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. NO MEANS OF SELF DRAINING WASHED UTENSILS OR EQUIPMENT INTO SINK. MUST PROVIDE A SELF DRAINING DRAINBOARD.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • 5-403.12 CONDENSATION DRAINAGE HOSE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT INTO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE REMOVED AND RE-ROUT TO THE PROPER WASTE WATER DRAINAGE PIPING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.11 WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM MUST BE REPLACED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.114 ALL ITEMS STORED ON REAR OUTDOOR AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • 2-102.13 NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. MUST PROVIDE.
  7. License

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SPLASH GUARD IS NEEDED BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • SEAL HOLE ON CEILING AROUND PIPES ABOVE THE EXPOSED HAND AND MOP SINK. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANANBLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAKING DRAIN PIPE UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK,NEED TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN

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