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MASALA

1002 W ARGYLE ST, CHICAGO, IL 60640 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MASALA has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 24, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 8, 2014, found no infractions.

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

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.

  • 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 on December 23, 2011. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • 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 once on August 29, 2013. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 August 29, 2013. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on August 29, 2013. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS

  • 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on August 29, 2013. 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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED IN STORAGE AREA. MUST LABEL BULK CONTAINERS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED CALCIUM BUILD UP INSIDE ICE MACHINE. MUST CLEAN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DIRT/FOOD STAINS ON WALLS/CEILING AT PREP AREA. MUST PAINT/CLEAN ALL UNCLEAN WALLS/CEILING AT PREP AREA.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • CEILING LIGHT BULBS MISSING (X4) ABOVE PREP AERA. MUST REPAIR/PROVIDE WORKING LIGHT BULBS ABOVE PREP AREA.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED ONE FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. MUSTS PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINT FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
  3. Short Form Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SEE REPORT DATED ON 05/16/12
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • SEE REPORT DATED ON 05/16/12
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • SEE REPORT DATED ON 05/16/12
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PREP COOLER DOOR RUBBET GASKETS RIPPED (ALONG COOKLINE). MUST REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED GASKETS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVES AND ON EXTERIOR OF EQUIPMENT(COOLERS, SINKS, COOKING UNITS) IN KITCHEN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL UNCLEAN EQUIPMENT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/GREASE BUILD UP ON FLOOR IN KITCHEN BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED CHICKEN AT 44F, CREAM CHEESE AT 44F, AND SHELL EGGS AT 43F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 40# OF FOOD WORTH $62. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.
    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING AND RINSING DISHES WITHOUT SANITIZING THEM. NO CHLORINE WAS DETECTED IN THE SANITIZING COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. I SHOWED THE MANAGER AND EMPLOYEES HOW TO PROPERLY SET UP THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK TO WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE DISHES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (CHICKEN AND RICE) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD IS PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. PROVIDE A TOILET TANK COVER FOR THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM TOILET. REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM THE STORAGE SHELVES.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. DETAIL CLEAN THE EXTERIOR OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS, STORAGE SHELVES IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF ALL OF THE REFRIGERATORS.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. License

    7 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST PROVIDE STORAGE RACKS OR SHELVES FOR THE WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. MUST CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. DETAIL CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. OBSERVED RUSTED WALLS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. SCRAPE RUST AND REPAINT WALLS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS ARE NEEDED IN THE PREP AREA. A LIGHT SHIELD IS NEEDED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated. NO VENTILATION FAN IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST INSTALL.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • THE DRAIN LINE UNDER THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IS LEAKING WATER. MUST REPAIR.

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