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THORNTONS #322

3450 S CALIFORNIA AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60608 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

THORNTONS #322 has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 26, 2017. The most recent inspection, on August 29, 2024, found no infractions.

2 of 9 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 Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on April 23, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 March 1, 2024. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • 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 once on April 23, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 April 23, 2020. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 11 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 1, 2018. 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.

9 inspections

  1. Short Form Complaint

    0 infractions

  2. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED A SLIGHT BROWNISH-PINKISH SUBSTANCE FORMING ON THE ICE SLOT FOR THE SODA POP MACHINE LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED MINOR DIRT DEBRIS ON THE FLOORS IN THE REAR DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN UNDER AND BEHIND REFRIGERATION, FREEZER UNITS, AND DRY STORAGE SHELVES.
  3. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY FILLED WITH AN ACCUMULATION OF FOOD DEBRIS, AND DRIED LIQUID. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE FOR MANAGER ON DUTY NOT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES AND MAINTAIN VALID CERTIFICATE ON SITE FOR MANAGER ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(O) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • 4-602.11(B-E) OBSERVED ICE MACHINE SLOTS WITH AN ACCUMULATED PINK SUBSTANCE LOCATED AT THE SODA MACHINES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ICE MACHINE SLOTS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15 OBSERVED BOTH ENTRANCE DOORS WITH A ONE INCH GAP IN BETWEEN DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE BOTH ENTRANCE DOORS TIGHT FITTING AND RODENT PROOFED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • 3-305.11 OBSERVED UNPACKAGED READY TO EAT FOODS (HOT DOGS AND DONUTS) DISPLAYED FOR SELF SERVICE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PREPACKAGED READY TO EAT FOODS TO PREVENT FROM POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-501.12 OBSERVED ACCUMULATED DIRT AND DEBRIS LOCATED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AROUND CO2 MACHINE, UNDER SODA DRINK STATION AREA AND UNDER AND AROUND ALL SHELVES AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL.
  5. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Complaint Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS VIOLATION FROM FEB 20 2018 REPORT 2145146 NOT CORRECTED: OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED, DUMPSTERS WITHOUT TIGHT FITTING LIDS. DUMPSTER ON SITE WITHOUT LID. INSTD TO PROVIDE DUMPSTER WITH LIDS AND HAVE LIDS TIGHT FITTING VIOLATION 7-42-090 CRITICAL.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY, NOR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (HOT DOGS, EGGS, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. VIOLATION 7-38-012A SERIOUS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SMALL WHITE CUTTING BOARDS WORN BEYOND REPAIR, HEAVILY STAINED, BLACK IN COLOR. INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF PASTRY CASE INCLUDING DOORS, DOOR GASKETS, TRACKS, AND STORAGE TRAYS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • UPPER PART OF WALLS IN TOILET ROOM WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
  7. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • OVER 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS ABOVE COFFEE STATION AND IN TOILET ROOMS. 1 LIVE FLY NOTED IN PASTRY CASE. REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, APPROX 1/4 INCH GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. RODENT PROOF REAR DOOR SO AS TO BE TIGHT FITTING. VIOLATION 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
    • 19. OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED
      • OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA NOT MAINTAINED, OVERFLOWING DUMPSTERS WITH EXPOSED GARBAGE AND EXCESSIVE GARBAGE ON SURROUNDING GROUND. INSTD TO MAINTAIN AREA CLEAN, AND HAVE DUMPSTERS WITH TIGHT FITTING LIDS. VIOLATION 7-38-020 SERIOUS.
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY, NOR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (HOT DOGS, EGGS, ETC). INSTD TO HAVE ON DUTY AT ALL TIMES. VIOLATION 7-38-012A SERIOUS.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • SMALL WHITE CUTTING BOARDS WORN BEYOND REPAIR, HEAVILY STAINED, BLACK IN COLOR. INSTD TO REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF PASTRY CASE INCLUDING DOORS, DOOR GASKETS, TRACKS, AND STORAGE TRAYS NOT CLEAN, EXCESSIVE DEBRIS. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • UPPER PART OF WALLS IN TOILET ROOM WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTD TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.
  8. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT OF DUST AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE ALL CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS,UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT STORED IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN.
  9. License

    5 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NO PROOF OF CONTRACT WITH A LICENSE PEST CONTROL SERVICE OR A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. MUST PROVIDE. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.
    • 26. ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED
      • MENS AND WOMENS WASHROOM IN POOR REPAIR. MUST CORRECT. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-030.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT OF DUST AND CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • REPAIR/SEAL OPENING INTO WALL AT BASE OF IST TOILET NEAREST WASHBOWLS IN WOMENS RESTROOM.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE ALL CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS,UNNECESSARY ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT STORED IN REFRIGERATION UNITS. ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN.

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