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MEROE

939 N ORLEANS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60610 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

MEROE has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 13, 2020. The most recent inspection, on August 15, 2023, found no infractions.

3 of 5 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, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 once on March 13, 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 once on March 13, 2020. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 14 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2020. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 6 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 18, 2020. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

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.

5 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. License Re-Inspection

    11 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT THE SERVICE SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED, SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE NON WORKING COOLER FROM FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A BIG OPENING INTO WALL BEHIND EXPOSED HAND WASHING IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN REAR OF FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS INSIDE FURNANCE ROOM. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVEATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON ALL CEILING VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHTS ABOVE PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR/PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOUND NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON SITE WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.
  5. License

    13 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW WHEN RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK TO VIEW WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. MUST PROVIDE A COMPLETE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS AVAILABLE ON PREMISES TO MEASURE THE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS WERE PROVIDED DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT THE SERVICE SINK INSIDE WASHROOM. A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MUST BE LOCATED, SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A BIG OPENING INTO WALL BEHIND EXPOSED HAND WASHING IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN REAR OF FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REMOVE NON WORKING COOLER FROM FOOD PREP AREA.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS INSIDE FURNANCE ROOM. MUST REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVEATE ITEMS 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON ALL CEILING VENTILATION VENTS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BURN OUT LIGHTS ABOVE PREP TABLES IN KITCHEN FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR/PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOUND NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGERS.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS ON SITE WITHOUT THE ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING.

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