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PIONEER FOOD AND LIQUOR

3959 W ARMITAGE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Restaurant (Liquor)

Inspection summary

PIONEER FOOD AND LIQUOR has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 23, 2014. The most recent inspection, on December 10, 2019, found no infractions.

5 of 8 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 and Pests.

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.

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 31, 2014. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 October 23, 2014. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 10 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 3, 2015. 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on December 3, 2015. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded once on December 3, 2015. For example: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090

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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 10/23/14 REPORT#1498120 31 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BEING USED AS SHELF LINERS AND TO MAINTAIN. 32 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO SEAL ALL EXPOSED, RAW WOOD SURFACES AND TO MAINTAIN. 34 OBSERVED DIRT ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REGULARLY CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. OBSERVED EXPOSED, RAW WOOD FLOORING IN REAR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN. 35 OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO CLEAN WALLS AND CEILINGS THROUGHTOUT, INCLUDING BASEMENT. OBSERVED HOLES IN BASEMENT WALLS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. 37 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE BATHROOM DOOR AND TO MAINTAIN. 38 NO MOP/UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A MOP SINK WITH AN APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. 40 INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATION THERMOMETERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS HAVE A THERMOMETER AND TO MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED DIRT AND DUST ACCUMULATION ON FOOD SND LIQUOR DISPLAY SHELVING, INSIDE ICE CREAM CHEST FREEZER, HAND WASHING SINK, 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOOR IN POOR REPAIR WITH OPENINGS INTO FLOOR AT THE FRONT SELLING AREA AND REAR STOTAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES IN REAR STORAGES AREA AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST REMOVE CLEAN AND ORGANIZE AREAS TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE. MUST ELEVATE ITEMS AT THE FRONT SELLING AREA AND REAR AREAS 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL.
  5. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. License Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BEING USED AS SHELF LINERS AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO SEAL ALL EXPOSED, RAW WOOD SURFACES AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED DIRT ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REGULARLY CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. OBSERVED EXPOSED, RAW WOOD FLOORING IN REAR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO CLEAN WALLS AND CEILINGS THROUGHTOUT, INCLUDING BASEMENT. OBSERVED HOLES IN BASEMENT WALLS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE BATHROOM DOOR AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO MOP/UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A MOP SINK WITH AN APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATION THERMOMETERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS HAVE A THERMOMETER AND TO MAINTAIN.
  7. License

    0 infractions

  8. License

    8 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND 25 RAT DROPPINGS IN VARIOUS AREAS OF STORE: BEHIND FRONT REGISTER DISPLAY, BETWEEN WALK IN COOLER AND WALL, AND NEAR HOT WATER HEATER. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REMOVE ALL PESTS AND EVIDENCE AND MAINTAIN. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT A LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BEING USED AS SHELF LINERS AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO SEAL ALL EXPOSED, RAW WOOD SURFACES AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED DIRT ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REGULARLY CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. OBSERVED EXPOSED, RAW WOOD FLOORING IN REAR STORAGE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO CLEAN WALLS AND CEILINGS THROUGHTOUT, INCLUDING BASEMENT. OBSERVED HOLES IN BASEMENT WALLS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL A SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON THE BATHROOM DOOR AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO MOP/UTILITY SINK ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A MOP SINK WITH AN APPROPRIATE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATION THERMOMETERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS HAVE A THERMOMETER AND TO MAINTAIN.

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