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WINDY CITY SMOKED MEATS

6427 S ASHLAND AVE FL REAR, CHICAGO, IL 60636 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

WINDY CITY SMOKED MEATS has been inspected 9 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 30, 2021. The most recent inspection, on September 4, 2024, found no infractions.

5 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, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 19, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 19, 2024. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 August 30, 2021. 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 on August 30, 2021. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 August 30, 2021. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

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. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    12 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO VALID CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VALID CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATE POSTED TO VIEW.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 29. COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP
      • OBSERVED NO VARIANCE FOR SPECIALIZED FOOD PROCESSING (ROP) NOT APPROVED BY THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES MUST OBTAIN.OBSERVED 2- ROP VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINES THAT NEEDS HACCP APPROVAL.A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON EQUIPMENT AT THIS TIME.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)
    • 32. VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS
      • SEE VIOLATION #29.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. 40 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR BEHIND REACH IN FREEZER, MINI LAB AREA ALONG WALL BASES,IN FRONT TOILET ROOM ALONG WALL BASES,OFFICE AREA BEHIND TABLE AND SHELVING UNIT.MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 8/19/24.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED A GAP ALONG BOTTOM OF FRONT ENTRY DOOR MUST MAKE TIGHT FITTING TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD IN BETWEEN 2- COMPARTMENT SINK AND MOPSINK.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER TO DISPOSE OF TRASH AT THIS TIME MUST PROVIDE A DUMPSTER WITH TIGHT FITTING LIDS AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)(CITATION ISSUED)
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR ALONG WALL BASES OF LARGE EQUIPMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING GROUT ON FLOOR TILE IN HALLWAY WHERE REFRIGERATORS ARE STORED OUTSIDE OF REAR TOILET ROOM.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MANTAIN.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
  4. Canvass

    0 infractions

  5. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS IN CORNERS IN REAR COOKING PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOORS OF REACH PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
  9. License

    16 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD.PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND/OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT FRONT HANDSINK NEAR 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND HANDWASHING SINK IN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED REACH IN FREEZER NOT TURNED ON. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE ALL UNITS ON AND OPERATING AT TIME OF INSPECTIONS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED ALL EXTERIOR DOORS AND BASEMENT ENTRANCE DOOR NOT COMPLETELY RODENT PROOFED AS REQUIRED. MUST COMPLETELY RODENT PROOF DOOR BY SEALING 1/4 GAP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY OR LOG BOOK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY IDPH STATE LICENSE CERTIFICATE AND LOG BOOK.7-38-020 (C)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF MICE ACTIVITY IN MAIN PREP AREA, UNDERNEATH COOLING EQUIPMENT AND IN STORAGE AREA. MUST CLEAN, SANITIZE AND CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY.PRIORITY 7-38-020 (A)
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND DRAINBOARD OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INSTALL A WASHABLE SPLASH GUARD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED TORN/DAMAGED AND DIRTY RUBBER GASKET ON DOORS OF REACH PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKET.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL OR PAINT ALL RAW WOOD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER TEST STRIP KIT ON-SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION TO TEST CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZER IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO MONITOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SANITIZER PF PROPERLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7-38-005
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED LIGHT FIXTURE IN NEED OF CLEANING, STAINED WITH WATER RESIDUE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO UTILITY SINK IN FACILITY. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED DISCONNECTED DRAIN LINE INSIDE OF REACH IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO RECONNECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED HOLES IN FLOOR, NO GROUT AROUND FLOOR DRAINS, AND NO BASE BOARDS WALLS NEAR PREP COOLER AND 3 COMPARMTENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

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