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THE HIGHSTOOL

5522 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 · Restaurant (Liquor)

Inspection summary

THE HIGHSTOOL has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 18, 2013. The most recent inspection, on June 20, 2024, found no infractions.

4 of 7 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, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 June 11, 2024. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 on June 18, 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 once on June 11, 2024. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 8 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 27, 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 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on June 11, 2024. For example: TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE AND KIT ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT CONTAINING ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF BLACK SLIME IN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT USED TO PRODUCE ICE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE INSIDE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED LID ON DUMPSTER IN ALLEY IS CRACKED AND LOOSE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 62. COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE
      • OBSERVED 3 ASHTRAYS ON REAR PATIO AND 5 CIGARETTE BUTTS ON FLOOR OF BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ASHTRAYS AND CIGARETTE BUTTS AND MAINTAIN FACILITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE. VIOLATION 7-32-020(C). CITATION ISSUED.
  4. License

    0 infractions

  5. License

    0 infractions

  6. License Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS AND STORAGE CABINETS BEHIND BAR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • NOTED FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES ESPECIALLY BEHIND BAR, UNDER AND BEHIND 3 COMPARTMENT BAR SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH MISSING AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS WITH DUST BUILD UP AND SPILLAGE BEHIND BAR, REAR STORAGE AND IN BASEMENT (MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE).
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WOMEN'S WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, UNUSED EQUIPMENT, CLUTTER STORED INSIDE STORAGE CABINETS IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBOR AGE.
  7. License

    9 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK AVAILABLE ON PREMISE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE WITH LOG BOOK (SERVICE REPORTS, CHEMICAL USED, CONTRACT ETC).
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER SERVICING BUSINESS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD OR DIVIDER BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND 3 COMPARTMENT BAR SINK BEHIND BAR.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLERS AND STORAGE CABINETS BEHIND BAR.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • NOTED FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES ESPECIALLY BEHIND BAR, UNDER AND BEHIND 3 COMPARTMENT BAR SINK IN POOR REPAIR WITH MISSING AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS WITH DUST BUILD UP AND SPILLAGE BEHIND BAR, REAR STORAGE AND IN BASEMENT (MUST BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE)
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE AT WOMEN'S WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR DRAINPIPE LEAK UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT BAR SINK, UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT/UTILITY SINK IN REAR STORAGE AND LEAK UNDER MOP SINK IN BASEMENT.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, UNUSED EQUIPMENT, CLUTTER STORED INSIDE STORAGE CABINETS IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND IN BASEMENT TO PREVENT PEST HARBOR AGE.

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