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MERMAID FISH & CHICKEN

6421 S DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR, CHICAGO, IL 60637 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MERMAID FISH & CHICKEN has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 14, 2014. The most recent inspection, on November 16, 2015, found no infractions.

5 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, Chemicals and toxic substances and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 30, 2015. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk

    Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.

    Recorded once on September 30, 2015. For example: DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK

  • 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 March 16, 2015. For example: HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA

  • 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 March 16, 2015. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 9 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 30, 2015. For example: FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED

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. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Short Form Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS ITALIAN BEEF,PIZZA,CHICKEN WINGS,ETC.MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.(SERIOUS 7-38-012)
    • 22. DISH MACHINES: PROVIDED WITH ACCURATE THERMOMETERS, CHEMICAL TEST KITS AND SUITABLE GAUGE COCK
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZING AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.WAS PREVIOUSLY INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(SERIOUS7-38-030)
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1386018 3/16/15 #32-MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON REACH IN FREEZER DOOR.33- MUST CLEAN FRYERS,REACH IN COOLERS,ROLLING CART,CUTTING BOARD,WINDOW SILLS.#34-MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOOR ALONG WALLBASES.#35-MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FILTERS AT HOOD.#38-MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR 3- COMP SINK.#40-MUST PROVIDE PROBE THERMOETER FOR FOOD TEMPS.#45-IDPH FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET.(SERIOUS 7-42-090)
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • VIOLASTION NOT CORRECTED
  4. Complaint

    13 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF FRONT DESSERT DISPLAY UNIT AT 50.7F WITH READY TO EAT FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING AT 40.0F OR BELOW.A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON UNIT ONCE REPAIRED FAX LETTER TO (312)746-4240 WHEN READY.(CRITICAL 7-38-005A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF READY TO EAT DESSERTS ASSORTED VARIETY OF PARFAITS 6LBS.46.6F-48.7F,1/2 LB.COLE SLAW 44.5F-45.9F,BANANA PUDDING 1/2LBS.43.8F-44.7F.PRODUCT WAS DUMPED AND DENATURED BY EMPLOYEE.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING AT 40.0F OR BELOW.7LBS.$32(CRITICAL 7-38-005A)
    • 12. HAND WASHING FACILITIES: WITH SOAP AND SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES, CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO FOOD PREP AREA
      • OBSERVED NO HAND DRYING DEVICES AT BOTH HAND SINKS IN FOOD PREP AREA AND EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM WHILE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED,HANDLED.MUST PROVIDE HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND SINKS AT ALL TIMES.EMPLOYEE PROVIDE NAPKINS AT HAND SINKS DURING INSPECTION.(CRITICAL 7-38-030)
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED,HANDLED AND SERVED SUCH AS CHICKEN,HAMBURGERS,COLE SLAW,ITALIAN BEEF,ETC.MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES .(SERIOUS 7-38-012).
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST LABEL DESSERTS WITH PROPER INFO GIVEN.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST STORE PLASTIC WEAR PROPERLY.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING DOOR HANDLE ON REACH IN FREEZER DOOR..
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN FRYER,REACH IN COOLER,ROLLING CART,CUTTING BOARDS,WINDOW SILLS.DEFROST CHEST FREEZER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRI FROM FILTERS AT HOOD.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PLACE PIZZA OVEN UNDER VENTILATION HOOD.MUST PROVIDE A SINK STOPPER AT 3- COMP SINK.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MUST PROVIDE A PROBE AND REFRIGERATOR THERMOMETER.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • IDPH FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENT NOT MET.MUST ENROLL.
  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. License

    0 infractions

  7. License

    0 infractions

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