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Top Middle East Restaurant

5750 N CALIFORNIA AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60659 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

Top Middle East Restaurant has been inspected 3 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 11, 2021. The most recent inspection, on May 23, 2022, found no infractions.

1 of 3 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

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.

  • 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 on May 11, 2021. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 May 11, 2021. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 May 11, 2021. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 May 11, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 17, 2021. 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.

3 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 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 VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-204.12-OBSERVED NO VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE AND ON MOP SINK FAUCET IN REAR CLOSET. MUST INSTALL.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • 2-102.13-OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.
  3. License

    11 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VERIFICATION FOR EACH EMPLOYEE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES AS OUTLINED IN POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED RODENT PROOF STRIP AT BOTTOM OF REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST REPLACE.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO ACCURATELY MEASURE THE SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MINOR GREASE BUILD UP INSIDE OF COOKING FRYER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO VISIBLE BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE WATER LINE AND ON MOP SINK FAUCET IN REAR CLOSET. MUST INSTALL.
    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED SEWAGE BACKUP INSIDE OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WHEN WATER IS BEING DRAINED. SEWAGE MUST BE COMPLETELY DRAINED INTO AN APPROVED SEWAGE SYSTEM AND MUST BE REPAIRED AND MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY. 7-38-030(C).
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED RAW WOODEN BASEBOARDS AT FRONT REGISTER AREA. MUST PAINT OR SEAL.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION NOT WORKING IN MEN'S BATHROOM. MUST REPAIR ISSUE.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS.

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