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TWO WAY DINER

4351 N ELSTON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

TWO WAY DINER has been inspected 8 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since September 14, 2010. The most recent inspection, on July 1, 2013, found no infractions.

1 of 8 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 Food source, labelling and allergens.

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 once on December 26, 2012. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded once on January 24, 2012. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 20 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on April 30, 2013. 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 10 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on December 26, 2012. 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 once on December 26, 2012. 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.

8 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • VENTILATION COVER IN FRONT PREP AREA HAVE BUILD UP OF GREASE. MUST DETAIL CLEAN COVER.
  3. Complaint-Fire

    7 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST DEFROST THE TWO CHEST FREEZER WITH (HEAVY ICE ACCUMULATED).
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FOLLOWING: ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALL UTENSILS, CABINETS AND FRONT COUNTER, INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. SIDES OF THE GRILL AND DEEP FRYER, TOP OF THE COOLER, EXTERIOR OF THE MILK CASE AND SODA MACHINE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR TRU-OUT AND MAINTAIN,ALONG THE WALL BASE ALL CORNER AND UNDER THE COOLERS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND REMOVE SMOKE SOOTS ON THE WALLS AND CEILING IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • CRACKED LIGHT SHIELD CLOSE TO THE WINDOW BY THE FRONT COUNTER. MUST REPLACE.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • MISSING VISIBLE THERMOMETER IN THE CHEST FREEZERS. MUST PROVIDE.
    • 70. NO SMOKING REGULATIONS
      • FOUND ASHTRAY WITH CIGARETTE BUTTS ON THE RIGHT CORNER OF THE FRONT COUNTER AND A PKG. OF CIGARETTE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL ASTRAYS SHALL BE REMOVED FROM ANY AREA WHERE SMOKING IS PROHIBITED. CITATION ISSUED 7-32-020C. MANAGER DISPOSED THE ASHTRAY INTO THE GARBAGE CAN WHILE I WAS TYING THE REPORT.
  4. Short Form Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Above violation still remaining.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Above violation still remaining.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Above violation still remaining.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Above violation still remaining.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Above violation still remaining.
  5. Complaint

    5 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Rear storage shelving not clean, need cleaning(crevices, non food contact surfaces of ice machine need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under pallets in rear storage areas not clean, need detailed cleaning(corners).
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Wall in rear kitchen areas not clean, need detailed cleaning, missing ceiling tiles in rear premises by bathroom shall be provided.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Missing light shields in rear storage areas, shall be provided.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Missing exhaust fan guards in walk in cooler, shall be provided, exhaust vents(ventilation) in kitchen prep area not clean, need cleaning(detailed).
  6. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • Found some food items not properly dated/labeled in walk in cooler, reach in cooler, reach in freezer, must date and label food items in walk in cooler, reach in cooler, and reach in freezer.
    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Walk in cooler shelving had exposed raw wood, peeling paint, shall be repaired/sealed.Rear counter prep table had peeling paint, shall be repaired/sealed.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Non food contact surfaces of cooler shelving, cooking equipment not clean need cleaning.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floors under heavy equipment, cooking equipment not clean need cleaning, floors in rear storage areas, behind ice mahine not clean need cleaning.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Light shields in kitchen prep areas not clean need detailed cleaning(crevices).
  7. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. LEAKING PIPE UNDER HANDSINK REAR AREA MUST BE FIXED; COOKING HOOD IN REAR KITCHEN UNCLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. SHELVES INSIDE PREP COOLER BECOMING RUSTY,MUST REMOVE RUST /REPLACE; WORN OUT RUBBER GASKET OF PREP COOLER IN FRONT AREA MUST BE REPLACED; INTERIOR TUBES OF ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 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. FLOOR UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK UNCLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; STAIRWAY FLOOR UNCLEAN,MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. WALLS NEAR COOKING EQUIPMENT AT THE REAR KITCHEN UNCLEAN WITH ACCUMULATED DUST MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. UNNECESSARY MATERIALS IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA MUST BE REMOVED/STORE IN THE BASEMENT
  8. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • Storage shelves in walk-in cooler has chipped paint. Instructed to repaint surface.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • Prep counter, interior panel of ice machine, cooking equipment not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • Floor along wallbase in prep and storage area, inside walk-in cooler not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and reseal floor in walk-in unit.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Light covers through-out not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean. Walls in rear prep area not maintained. Instructed to seal all holes and repaint walls in rear.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • Unnecessary articles stored in basement. Instructed to remove all unused articles and detail clean area.

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