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Saigon Grill

5736 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60646 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Saigon Grill has been inspected 11 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 13, 2010. The most recent inspection, on May 7, 2015, found no infractions.

4 of 11 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, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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.

  • 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 May 14, 2014. For example: APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN

  • 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 July 31, 2012. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 January 7, 2013. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • 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 January 7, 2013. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 24 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on October 22, 2014. 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.

11 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR/REPLACE LOOSE GASKETS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERIOR DOORS OF THE 3DR REFRIGERATOR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN INTERIOR PANEL DOORS AT THE 3DR REFRIGERATOR TO REMOVE FOOD SPLASHES.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE FLOORS UNDER THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND COOLERS TO REMOVE FOOD DEBRI.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST REPAIR DETERIORATED WALL ABOVE AND AROUND THE MOP SINK. ABOVE STATED AREA IS FALLING APART.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST DECLUTTER AND BETTER ORGANIZE 2ND CUSTOMER DINING ROOM REAR AREA. FOUND ITEMS, BOXES AND SODA BOXES ON THE FLOOR. ALL ITEMS MUST BE ELEVATED 6-INCHES OFF THE FLOOR AT ALL TIMES.
  3. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST INVERT ALL MULTI-USE UTENSILS (PLATES, BOWLS, CUPS, SPOONS ETC.,) AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT FROM CONTAMINATION.
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • MUST REMOVE OFF PREMISES EXTREMELY LARGE POTS WHICH DO NOT FIT INTO THE 3-COMP SINK IN ORDER TO BE PROPERLY WASHED, RINSED AND SANITIZED AT ALL TIMES.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR PANEL OF THE ICE MACHINE TO REMOVE SLIGHT GRAYISH BUILD-UP.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE BOTH WALLS ABOVE THE MOP SINK AREA. ALSO MUST REPAIR PEELING PAINT AT WALL UNDER THE FAUCET FIXTURE SO AS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST PROVIDE A BACK PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK AT ALL TIMES.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR SMALL LEAK UNDER MIDDLE COMPARTMENT AT THE 3-COMP SINK.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • MUST PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE ICE SCOOPER CONTAINER FOR THE ICE SCOOPER AT THE ICE MACHINE AT ALL TIMES.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 6. HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS.
      • NOTED EMPLOYEE WASHING HANDS (TWICE) AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROPERLY WASH HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER AT THE HAND WASH SINK. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED FOR VIOLATION # 7-38-010A.
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NOTED OVER 75 MICE DROPPINGS ALONG WALL BASE BEHIND ICE MACHINE AT THE FOOD PREP AREA, BY THE GREASE TRAP UNDERNEATH 3 COMPARTMENT SINK, ON FLOOR BY HEATING TANK UNIT AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA,ALONG WALL BASE BEHIND UPRIGHT FREEZER AND ON SHELVING AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA WITH LARGE FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL COMPANY. CITATION ISSUED FOR SERIOUS VIOLATION # 7-38-020
    • 31. CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY INVERT ALL DISHES AND BOWLS ON COUNTER ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION AND CONTAMINATION.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITISE FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG WALL BASE WITH MICE DROPPINGS, UNDERNEATH COOKING STOVE EMBEBED WITH THICK GREASE AND DEBRIS AND UNDERNEATH SHELVING AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA.....ALSO MUST REPLACE, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COVING ALONG WALL BASE THROUGH OUT KITCHEN PREP AREA.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE STEM THERMOMETERS AT ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AT ALL TIME FOR PROPER TEMPERATURE MONITORING
  6. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Found some food items not labeled/dated in reach in cooler, reach in freezer, must date and label food items in reach in cooler, reach in freezer.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving, racks not clean, need cleaning(detailed), non food contact surfaces of cooking equipment, ice machine machine need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors in rear storage room under storage shelving not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Wall in storage room that had hole behind door, shall be repaired/sealed.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exhaust vents(ventilation) in bathrooms not clean, need cleaning(detailed).
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Stock items must be stored six inchess off of floor to prevent pest harborage.
  7. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of cooking equipment(stove)not clean needs detailed cleaning, pop dispensing cabinet shelving need cleaning(detailed).
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment, not clean need detailed cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Walls in rear kitchen prep by prep table area not clean need detailed cleaning.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Exhaust canopy needs cleaning vents(ventilation) in kitchen area, dining areas need detailed cleaning.
  8. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Found some food items not properly dated/labeled in coolers/freezers, must date and label food items in coolers/freezers.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving,ice machine, storage shelving not clean need detailed cleaning, rear storage cabinet shelving need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under cooking equipment had excess grease build up behind grill, deep fryer, needs detailed cleaning(corners). Floors in rear kitchen storage room area, rear storage room, rear storage areas need cleaning(detailed)corners.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. Use dustless cleaning methods. Walls in rear storage areas that had exposed raw wood, gaps, holes shall be repair. Walls in rear kitchen storage areas that had peeling paint, gaps shall be repair. Damaged ceiling tiles in mens bathroom shall be repair/replaced.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.Missing light shields in rear storage room shall be provided.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • The flow of air discharged from kitchen fans shall always be through a duct to a point above the roofline. Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. Exhaust vents(ventilation)in kitchen areas, dining areas, coolers, and bathroom need cleaning.
  9. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. License

    5 infractions

    • 11. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED
      • Front prep area not provided with exposed hand sink. Instructed to install hand sink with hot running water.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Interior of deep fryer not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors in rear not sealed. Instructed to re grout floor, seal all gaps and cover raw wood floor in office area.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Walls and ceiling not maintained in storage and prep area. Instructed to seal all gaps and openings.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Drainline under three compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak. Condensation from ice mnachine on floor behind machine. Instructed to repair to prevent excessive water.
  11. License

    0 infractions

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