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SPECIAL BLEND

5214 S DAMEN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

SPECIAL BLEND has been inspected 5 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 24, 2010. The most recent inspection, on November 29, 2011, recorded 2 infractions.

1 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: Food temperature control and Pests.

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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 9, 2010. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 2011. 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 6 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on November 29, 2011. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 2011. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on November 29, 2011. For example: NO SMOKING REGULATIONS

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 Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 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.MUST STILL REPAIR LEAKY PIPE UNDER HAND SINK.
    • 70. NO SMOKING REGULATIONS
      • Smoking shall be prohibited in all public places except in designated smoking areas.UPON REINSPECTION,OBSERVED MANAGER SMOKING INSIDE FRONT OF STORE,PUBIC PLACE AND PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT.NO SMOKING SIGNS POSTED.INSTRUCTED MANAGER NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED IN STORE,ONLY OUTSIDE 15FT FROM DOOR.MANAGER DISPOSED OF CIGARETTE. CITATION ISSUED 7-32-015
  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines.EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL,MICE DROPPINGS ON PREMISES INSIDE CLUTTERED MOP ROOM.FOUND MORE THAN 15-MICE DROPPING,AND 5-MICE DROPPINGS UNDER REAR CANDY STORAGE SHELVES AROUND CANDY,5-UNDER REAR IN COOLER.MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. ALSO REAR DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF AT BOTTOM,SWEEP BROKE OFF. MUST REPLACE. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED.
    • 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.OPENINGS IN FLOOR UNDER MOP SINK BY PIPE,UNDER REAR CANDY SHELVE. MUST SEAL.
    • 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.PIPE CONNECTION LEAKING UNDER HAND SINK.MUST REPAIR.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • ALL COOLERS ON PREMISES MUST MAINTAIN INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURES OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW AND ALL FREEZERS 0 DEGREES OR BELOW. REAR COOLER 43.7 DEGREES REAR SECTION OF REACH-IN COOLER 59.7 DEGREES-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • ICE CREAM AND FROZEN ITEMS THAT WERE STORED IN THE 5-DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER HAVE THAWED AND BEEN RE-FROZEN-ALL MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES BEFORE LICENSE RE INSPECTION-NO CITATION ISSUED ALL REFROZEN ITEMS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES. FOUND HOT DOGS AT 59.1F, PRESSED MEATS AT 59.9F, COTTAGE CHEESE AT 58.1F, LUNCH MEATS AT 58.8F- ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES MUST B DISCARDED
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • ALL COOLERS ,SHELVES, COUNTERS, SINKS AND ALL UNCLEAN SURFACES MUST BE CLEAN
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ALL STOCK MUST BE STORED ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR, AND ALL FLOORS MUST BE CLEAN
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • ATTACH WALL COVE TO THE BASES OF THE WALLS THROUGHOUT. FRONT DOOR MUST BE TIGHT-FITTING AT BOTTOM TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY
  5. License

    8 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • 5-DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER IN POOR REPAIR, REFRIGERATION REPAIRMAN ON PREMISES AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION-NO CITATION ISSUED. ALL COOLERS ON PREMISES MUST MAINTAIN INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURES OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW AND ALL FREEZERS 0 DEGREES OR BELOW
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • ICE CREAM AND FROZEN ITEMS THAT WERE STORED IN THE 5-DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER HAVE THAWED AND BEEN RE-FROZEN-ALL MUST BE REMOVED FROM PREMISES BEFORE LICENSE RE INSPECTION-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • NO HOT RUNNING WATER AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION-MUST PROVIDE-NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • CUT DOWN GRASS AND WEEDS IN REAR OUTSIDE AREA AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO BASEMENT AT NEXT VISIT
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ALL STOCK MUST BE STORED ELEVATED 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • ATTACH WALL COVE TO THE BASES OF THE WALLS THROUGHOUT. FRONT DOOR MUST BE TIGHT-FITTING AT BOTTOM O PREVENT RODENT ENTRY
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • ATTACH A SELF-CLOSING DEVICE TO WASHROOM DOOR
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTALL A MOP SINK ON PREMISES

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