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LOUIE GROCERY

5050 W MADISON ST, CHICAGO, IL 60644 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

LOUIE GROCERY has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 27, 2016. The most recent inspection, on November 10, 2021, recorded 3 infractions.

None of the 6 inspections on record were free of infractions. 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 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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 22, 2020. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 29, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 22, 2020. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 29, 2020. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 once on January 3, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

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. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN GASKETS ON 2 DOOR COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA NEAR DELI. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A HOLE IN FLOOR IN FRONT OF DELI CASE IN REAR OF STORE AND HOLES IN CEILING IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL/COVER HOLES IN FACILITY TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVITY.
  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN THE CHEST FREEZER AND DELI AREA WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE ONE DOOR REACH-IN COOLERS (#1- #5) AND A BROKEN HANDLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP DELI AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED A BURNED OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE 1-DOOR FREEZER UNIT NEAR THE DELI AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING IN THE UNIT.
  3. Canvass

    13 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS IN THE DELI DISPLAY CASE AND ONE-DOOR REACH-IN COOLER WHERE THE EGGS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS UNITS.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NOTED NO THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF TCS. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROPER THERMOMETERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN THE CHEST FREEZER AND DELI AREA WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTH LAYING ON THE FRONT COUNTER NEAR ITALIAN BEEF. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE-USE PLASTIC EATING UTENSILS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO AVOID CONTAMINATION BY INVERTING UTENSILS WITH HANDLES EXPOSED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE REAR FOOD PREP DELI AREA WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER INSIDE FOOD PREP EQUIPMENT AND TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE ONE DOOR REACH-IN COOLERS (#1- #5) AND A BROKEN HANDLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHOLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER OR FOR WARE WASHING AREA (3 COMPARTMENT SINK). INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE A CHOLORINE CHEMICAL TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION MUST BE PROVIDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS AND ICE BUILDUP IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZERS ON THE SALES FLOOR. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES ON THE SALES FLOOR AND BEHIND THE CASHIER COUNTER. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED A BURNED OUT LIGHT-BULB IN THE 1-DOOR FREEZER UNIT NEAR THE DELI AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE BULB AND MAINTAIN LIGHTING IN THE UNIT.
  4. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • PREMISES HAS NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATION WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • PREMISES HAS NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CODE OR CITATIONS WILL FOLLOW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • NOTED THE INTERIOR OF THE DELI COOLER DIRTY UNDERNEATH THE TRAYS. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE. ALSO DETAIL CLEAN THE MEAT SLICER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED THE FLOORS IN THE REAR PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR (CRACKED AND BROKEN TILES). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  5. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • DURING INSPECTION SMELLED A ODOR COMING FROM REFRIGERATION UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA,TOOK AIR TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AND TEMPERATURE WAS FOUND AT 57.0F,MANAGER STATES PLUG WAS OUT WHEN HE ARRIVED THIS MORNING,INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR COOLER,CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • TOOK TEMPERATURE OF SEVERAL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATOR UNIT AT PREP AREA,FOUND IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF GROUND BEEF AND PORK AT 57.0F,TOTAL WEIGHT FOR THE GROUND BEEF WAS 100LBS AND TOTAL COST WAS $200.00,TOTAL WEIGHT FOR THE PORK WAS 40LBS,TOTAL COST WAS $120.00,food ITEMS WERE DENATURED AND DESTROYED DURING INSPECTION,CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A)
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A DRAIN BOARD AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA
  6. License

    6 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK,MUST PROVIDE WITH THE REQUIRED DOUCEMENTS SUCH AS PEST CONTROL LICENSE,TECHICAN LICENSE,MATERIAL DATA,SERVICE RECEIPT,AND MAP LOCATOR AND MUST RODENT PROOF FRONT DOORHAS A 1/4 INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF DOOR,SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF SERVICE WITH A CONTRACTOR FOR OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER,SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE ON SITE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE,SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A DRAIN BOARD AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELD COVERS IN PREP AREA ABOVE MEAT COUNTER IN PREP AREA
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR UNIT BEHIND REAR PREP AREA AND IN THE REACH IN COOLERS NEAR SHELVES

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