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RAINFOREST CAFE

605 N CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

RAINFOREST CAFE has been inspected 18 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 28, 2010. The most recent inspection, on August 20, 2020, found no infractions.

5 of 18 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.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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 6 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on October 31, 2019. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 October 31, 2019. 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 2 times on February 17, 2017. For example: HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.

  • 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 26 times across 13 separate inspections, most recently on October 31, 2019. For example: FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

  • 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 5 separate inspections, most recently on October 31, 2019. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

18 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • INACCURATE FOOD THERMOMETER IN KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN GOOD WORKING ONES.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • BULK FOOD CONTAINER ( SUGAR ) NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MEAT SLICER NOT CLEANED PROPERLY BEHIND BLADE, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROPER TOOLS FOR EASY DISASSEMBLY AND CLEANING
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • UNABLE TO LOCATE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR FAUCET WHERE A HOSE IS ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A CLEAR VIEW.
  3. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 43. IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED
      • UTENSILS STORED IN STANDING WATER, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP IN A DRY CLEAN CONTAINER.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • LOOSE WIRE SIFTER NOTED IN KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE UTENSILS THAT MAY POSE PHYSICAL CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MEAT SLICER NOT CLEANED PROPERLY BEHIND BLADE, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROPER TOOLS FOR EASY DISASSEMBLY AND CLEANING
  4. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • OBSERVED SILVERWARE PRE-SET AT DINING ROOM TABLES WITHOUT PROPER COVERING. ALL PRE-SET SILVERWARE MUST BE COVERED OR WRAPPED.
  5. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED INTERIOR PANEL OF ICE CREAM FREEZER IN DISREPAIR. REPAIR PANEL.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • OBSERVED EXTERNAL MILK REFRIGERATOR THERMOMETER INACCURATE. INSTALL INTERNAL THERMOMETER TO REFLECT ACCURATE TEMPERATURE OF 40.3F.
  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. OBSERVED A COOK PLACING HAMBURGER BUNS ON PLATES WITH BARE HANDS, INSTRUCTED MGR NOT TO ALLOW BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010
    • 8. SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME
      • INADEQUATE UTENSILS SANITIZING, FOUND HIGH TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE WITH FINAL RINSE TEMPERATURE AT 140F WHILE MACHINE BEING USED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 180F MINIMUM FOR FINAL RINSE.CRITICAL CITAION ISSUED 7-38-030. MACHINE IS TAGGED NOT ALLOWED TO USE, MUST CONTACT THE OFFICE OF CDPH WHEN REPAIRED.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOOD HANDLERS WITH BEARD NOT WEARING BEARD RESTRINT, INSTRUCTED WEAR.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • ICE SCOOP HOLDER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ADN MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/DUST BUILD UP ON PREP AREA SHELVES ALONG COOKLINE AND OBSERVED SLIGHT DISCOLORATION ON PLASTIC ICE TUBE INSIDE ICE MACHINE (LEFT SIDE ICE MACHINE). MUST CLEAN SHELVES AND CLEAN/REPLACE PLASTIC TUBE IN ICE MACHINE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED STANDING WATER ON FLOOR AT DISHWASH AREA. MUST KEEP FLOOR CLEAN/DRY.
  9. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • PANTRY REACH IN COOLER DOOR RUBBER GASKETS NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR/REPLACE DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS/STANDING WATER ON SHELF UNDER SODA MACHINE ICE BIN. MUST CLEAN/KEEP DRY SHELF UNDER SAID ICE BIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED SURFACE OF PREP AREA FLOOR ALONG COOKLINE PEELING/PITTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR FLOOR, SURFACE OF FLOOR MUST BE EASY TO CLEAN/KEEP DRY.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS S ON WALLS AT CHANGO AREA. MUST CLEAN WALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • METAL STEM THERMOMETER NOT CALIBRATED FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALIBRATE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR FOOD HANDLERS.
  10. Complaint

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CAULK AROUND THE WASHBOWL SINK IN BOTH EMPLOYEE'S WASHROOM WORN OUT. MUST RE CAULK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR DRAIN IN THE PREP AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • VENT COVER IN BOTH EMPLOYEE'S WASHROOM 2ND FLOOR WITH HEAVY DUST ACCUMULATED. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  11. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • NOTED MULTI USE UTENSILS (PLATES,CUPS,BOWLS ETC) ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS DURING STORAGE OR PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE COVER TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND CONTAMINATION
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • NOTED SLIGHT STAIN AND DISCOLORATION INSIDE THE UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NOTED LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM PIPPING OF EXPOSED HAND WASH SINK AT THE BAR ON THE SECOND FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 43. FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED
      • NOTED UNUSED WASH CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WASH CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.
  12. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • NOTED MULTI USE UTENSILS (PLATES,CUPS,BOWLS ETC) ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL UTENSILS DURING STORAGE OR PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE COVER TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND CONTAMINATION.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • NOTED SLIGHT STAIN AND DISCOLORATION INSIDE THE UPPER COMPARTMENT OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.
  13. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • INADEQUATE FOOD PROTECTION, FOUND 10LBS OF COOKED CHICKEN AT 54.6F STORED IN TIGHT LID PLASTIC CONTAINER, ITEM STORED IN WALK-IN A DAY BEFORE. INSTRUCTED MGR TO COOL DOWN FOOD PROPERLY. ITEMS DISCARDED VALUED AT $35.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • SPICE CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO KLABEL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • KNIVES WEDGED BTEWEEN CUTTING BOARD AND COOLER, INSTRUCTED TO STORE PROPERLY.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • BOTTOM OF ICE SCOOP HOLDER NOT CLEAN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • NO VACUUM BREAKER AT A FAUCET WHERE A HOSE IS ATTACHED, DAMAGED ONE AT MOP SINK FAUCET, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND REPAIR DAMAGED ONE.
  14. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  15. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES MUST BE REPLACED. THE INTERIOR METAL FRAME OF WALK-IN COOLER DOOR (LEFT COOLER) IS IN POOR REPAIR, MUST FIX.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN LIQUOR ROOM MUST BE REPLACED. THE METAL PANEL BELOW THE DISHMACHINE (LEFT HAND SIDE), IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE WALL, MUST FIX & SEAL.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOLLOWING PLUMBING ISSUES MUST BE ADDRESSED: WATER LEAKING ON FAUCETS OF HANDSINKS IN KITCHEN & DISHROOM, THE BOTTOM PIPE OF BAR HANDSINK, & A PIPE ON THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE DISHMACHINE.
  16. Complaint

    0 infractions

  17. Canvass

    3 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. OBSERVED BAR HANDWASH BOWL LOOSE FROM WALL. MUST REATTACH SINK TO WALL.
    • 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. OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP INSIDE PREP AREA FLOOR DRAINS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ALL UNCLEAN FLOOR DRAINS.
    • 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 THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLER (BY FRYERS).
  18. Consultation

    0 infractions

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