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RAY'S FOOD MARKET

8645 S COTTAGE GROVE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60619 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

RAY'S FOOD MARKET has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 27, 2011. The most recent inspection, on September 4, 2013, recorded 7 infractions.

1 of 6 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: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 7 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 4, 2013. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 4, 2013. For example: DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED

  • 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 once on October 27, 2011. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 September 4, 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 8 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 4, 2013. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

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.

6 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOTED 8-20-13 ON REPORT# 920372 NOT CORRECTED: -18- 20-30 MICE DROPPINGS OBSERVED SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. CLEANED AND SANITIZED ALL AFFECTED AREAS THROUGHOUT DURING RE-INSPECTION. CITATION ISSUED-CRITICAL FOR NON COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING VIOLATION 7-42-090.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • SEE VIOLATION #14
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • NO HOT FOOD BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. 3 COMPARTMENT METAL SINK IN REAR STORAGE AREA NOT CONNECTED. MUST INSTALL THE 3 COMPARTMENT METAL SINK WITH DRAINBOARD AND GREASE TRAP SO ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT CAN BE WASHED, RINSED, AND SANITIZED. NO CITATION ISSUED AT THIS TIME. MUST CORRECT THIS VIOLATION IF LEASE IS RENEWED IN ORDER TO SELL SNOW CONES AND COOK AND SERVE HOT FOOD.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL DISPLAY AND STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT, ALL SINKS IN REAR, INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS, AND ALL OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES THROUGHOUT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REPLACE ALL MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT. DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT ALONG ALL WALL BASES, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPAIR OR REPLACE BLOWN LIGHTS ON SALES FLOOR.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELIMINATE CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
  2. Complaint Re-Inspection

    7 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 20-30 MICE DROPPINGS OBSERVED SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS THROUGHOUT, AND 12 FLIES NOTED ON PREMISES ON SALES FLOOR. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS THROUGHOUT, MUST ALSO REPAIR LEFT LOWER SIDE & CORNER OF REAR EXIT DOOR(1/4 INCH OPENING NOTED). MUST ALSO REQUEST ADDITIONAL SERVICE CALL FROM PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-020. UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY FOR RE-INSPECTION.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED, TRASH OVERFLOWING IN DUMPSTER. MUST KEEP THE LIDS CLOSED ON GARBAGE RECEPTACLE AND ELIMINATE FLIES. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-020. UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY FOR RE-INSPECTION.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • SELLING NACHOS WITH MEAT AND SNOW CONES. 3 COMPARTMENT METAL SINK IN REAR STORAGE AREA NOT CONNECTED. MUST INSTALL THE 3 COMPARTMENT METAL SINK WITH DRAINBOARD AND GREASE TRAP SO ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT CAN BE WASHED, RINSED, AND SANITIZED. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-030. UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY FOR RE-INSPECTION
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL DISPLAY AND STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT, ALL SINKS IN REAR, INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS, AND ALL OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES THROUGHOUT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REPLACE ALL MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT. DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT ALONG ALL WALL BASES, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPAIR OR REPLACE BLOWN LIGHTS ON SALES FLOOR.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELIMINATE CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
  3. Complaint

    8 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • PREPARING AND SERVING NACHOS WITH MEAT WITHOUT AN EXPOSED HAND SINK ON PREMISES. NACHO OPERATION SUSPENDED BY THE CDPH. AN EXPOSED HAND SINK MUST BE INSTALLED IN ORDER TO PREEPARE AND SERVE HOT FOOD. CITATION ISSUED-CRITICAL 7-38-030.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • 20-30 MICE DROPPINGS OBSERVED SCATTERED ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS THROUGHOUT, AND 12 FLIES NOTED ON PREMISES ON SALES FLOOR. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS THROUGHOUT, MUST ALSO REPAIR LEFT LOWER SIDE & CORNER OF REAR EXIT DOOR(1/4 INCH OPENING NOTED). MUST ALSO REQUEST ADDITIONAL SERVICE CALL FROM PEST CONTROL COMPANY TO ELIMINATE FLY ACTIVITY. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-020.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED, TRASH OVERFLOWING IN DUMPSTER. MUST KEEP THE LIDS CLOSED ON GARBAGE RECEPTACLE AND ELIMINATE FLIES. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-020.
    • 24. DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED
      • SELLING NACHOS WITH MEAT AND SNOW CONES. 3 COMPARTMENT METAL SINK IN REAR STORAGE AREA NOT CONNECTED. MUST INSTALL THE 3 COMPARTMENT METAL SINK WITH DRAINBOARD AND GREASE TRAP SO ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT CAN BE WASHED, RINSED, AND SANITIZED. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS 7-38-030.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: ALL DISPLAY AND STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT, ALL SINKS IN REAR, INTERIORS AND EXTERIORS OF ALL COOLERS AND FREEZERS, AND ALL OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES THROUGHOUT.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • REPLACE ALL MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT. DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT ALONG ALL WALL BASES, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • REPAIR OR REPLACE BLOWN LIGHTS ON SALES FLOOR.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ELIMINATE CLUTTER IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
  4. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NOTED BROKEN GLASS WINDOW ALONG THE FRONT OF STORE. MUST REPAIR SO THAT WINDOW IS COMPLETLEY INSECT AND RODENT PROOF.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST BETTER SEAL OPENINGS IN REAR WALL ABOVE MOP SINK. (MAKE SMOOTH)
  6. License

    9 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • MUST HAVE ICE CREAM FREEZER ON AND OPERATING TO VERIFY THAT IT MAINTAINS APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURES. MUST HAVE ALL EQUIPMENT ON SITE TO VERIFY THAT IT WORKS PROPERLY.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND EVIDENCE OF RODENTS ON SITE AND OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. FOUND APPROXIMATLEY 20-25 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOORS UNDER REAR STORAGE RACK IN REAR STOCK ROOM. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE AREAS. NOTED BROKEN GLASS WINDOW ALONG THE FRONT OF STORE. MUST REPAIR SO THAT WINDOW IS COMPLETLEY INSECT AND RODENT PROOF.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLER TO ALLOW FOR PROPER AIR FLOW. MUST REMOVE RUST FROM STORAGE SHELVES ON SALES FLOOR.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A KEY TO ACCESS REAR BACK DOOR FROM INTERIOR OF BUILDING. MUST BE ABLE TO FULLY INSPECT OUTSIDE AREAS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO BUILDING.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN TOILET AND SINK IN WASHROOM AND ALL OTHER WASHROOM SURFACES. MUST CLEAN SHELVES ON INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS AS NEEDED.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST REMOVE TAPED DOWN RUGS NEAR FRONT ENTRANCE AND REPAIR FLOORS AS NEEDED. FLOORS MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANBALE. MUST PAINT CONCRETE IN REAR STOCK ROOM WITH A LIGHT COLORED NON TOXIC PAINT AND MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST INSTALL COVING ALONG WALLS ON SALES FLOOR AND IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST FINSH DRY WALL IN REAR STOCK ROOM ABOVE AND UNDER MOP SINK AND SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND HOLES.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE CLUTTER AND UNUSED EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT AND BETTER ORGANIZE STORAGE AREAS.

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