Skip to content
Loading map…

THE HIDDEN COVE

5338 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60625 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THE HIDDEN COVE has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 25, 2014. The most recent inspection, on February 8, 2019, recorded 9 infractions.

None of the 4 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, 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.

  • 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 February 8, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 8, 2019. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 March 14, 2014. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on February 25, 2014. For example: FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION

  • 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 13 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on February 8, 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.

4 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    9 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED. - -
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING ICE BIN COVER FOR ICE BIN BEHIND BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FOLLOWING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF BAR COOLERS,BAR GUNS AND HOUSINGS ATTACHED,SHELVINGS BEHIND THE BAR AREAS AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOOSE COLD HANDLE AT HAND SINK INSIDE THE WOMENS WASHROOM AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED FOR ICE MAKER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN APPROVED BACK FLOW PREVENTER AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED MENS WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NEWLY INSTALLED WALLS BEHIND THE TOILETS IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM MUST BE FINISHED WITH PAINT AND FINISH MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE REAR STORAGE ICE MACHINE LOCATION AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ELEVATE STORED ITEMS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING.
  2. Complaint

    10 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED. -
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED. - -
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED MISSING ICE BIN COVER FOR ICE BIN BEHIND BAR AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE FOLLOWING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF BAR COOLERS,BAR GUNS AND HOUSINGS ATTACHED,SHELVINGS BEHIND THE BAR AREAS AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LOOSE COLD HANDLE AT HAND SINK INSIDE THE WOMENS WASHROOM AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED FOR ICE MAKER, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN APPROVED BACK FLOW PREVENTER AIR GAP BETWEEN THE WATER SUPPLY INLET AND THE UNIT.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED MENS WASHROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DEVICE AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER OVERFLOWING WITH BAGS OF TRASH CONTAINING LIQUOR BOTTLES AND BEER CANS ETC PREVENTING PROPER LID CLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO NOTIFY THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL CO AND ALWAYS HAVE GARBAGE DUMPSTER MAINTAINED AND LID CLOSED TO PREVENT PEST NUISANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION7-38-020(B).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NEWLY INSTALLED WALLS BEHIND THE TOILETS IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM MUST BE FINISHED WITH PAINT AND FINISH MUST BE SMOOTH,EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES AND TO MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE REAR STORAGE ICE MACHINE LOCATION AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND ELEVATE STORED ITEMS AT LEAST 6" INCHES OFF THE FLOOR/WALL FOR EASIER CLEANING.
  3. Canvass Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ice bins not provided with covers. Instructed to to provide covers to prevent possible contamination.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Unused equipment, coolers, sinks and counter not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Carpet in customer area and behind equipment and along wallbase not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation fans in toilet room not working. Instructed to repair exhaust fans. Hot water handle in women's toilet room broken. Indtructed to repair to provide hot water. Urinal in men's toilet room not working. Instructed to replace urinal. Exposed handsink leaking at bottom drainline. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • Thermometer not provided inside condiment cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer conspicuous inside all coolers.
  4. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 16. FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
      • Foods not protected during storage, preparation, display and servce. Observed interior of ice machine panel and parts with black slimy substance coming into contact with fresh ice. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize machine. "Held for Inspection" tag placed on machine. Serious citation issued 7-38-005(A).
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ice bins not provided with covers. Instructed to to provide covers to prevent possible contamination.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Unused equipment, coolers, sinks and counter not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Carpet in customer area and behind equipment and along wallbase not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean daily.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation fans in toilet room not working. Instructed to repair exhaust fans. Hot water handle in women's toilet room broken. Indtructed to repair to provide hot water. Urinal in men's toilet room not working. Instructed to replace urinal. Exposed handsink leaking at bottom drainline. Instructed to repair to prevent leak.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • Thermometer not provided inside condiment cooler. Instructed to provide thermometer conspicuous inside all coolers.

Nearby inspected facilities

Own this business? Add a badge to your website