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ZEBRA'S GOURMET HOT DOGS

3551 S HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60609 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

ZEBRA'S GOURMET HOT DOGS has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since February 18, 2010. The most recent inspection, on March 14, 2013, found no infractions.

3 of 10 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 source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

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 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 4 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 10, 2011. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 5, 2012. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT INFESTATION, NO BIRDS, TURTLES OR OTHER ANIMALS

  • 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 13 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on September 5, 2012. 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 4 separate inspections, most recently on September 5, 2012. For example: SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 13, 2011. For example: * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED

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.

10 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 10. SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL, NO BACK SIPHONAGE, CROSS CONNECTION AND/OR BACK FLOW
      • LARGE OPEN SEWER DRAIN IN BASEMENT EXPOSING RAW SEWAGE AND FOUL ODOR. ALSO EVIDENCE OF SEWAGE DAMAGE ON BASEMENT FLOOR. EVIDENCE OF SEWAGE/WASTE WATER (DRIED WASTE WATER/SEWAGE ON FLOOR) INSTD TO PROPERLY COVER ALL SEWER/FLOOR DRAINS, DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND REMOVE ODOR. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030 CRITICAL.
    • 13. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT INFESTATION, NO BIRDS, TURTLES OR OTHER ANIMALS
      • NOTED RODENT (RAT & MICE) INFESTATION ON PREMISES. MICE DROPPINGS (OVER 100 NOTED) IN VARIOUS AREAS THRU-OUT PREP AREAS UNDER AND BEHIND UPRIGHT COOLER, PREP COOLER, AND ALONG WALLBASE BY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. RAT DROPPINGS NOTED IN STORAGE CLOSET AND ON BASEMENT STAIRS. FRONT, REAR, AND BASEMENT DOORS NOT RODENT PROOF, GAPS AT BOTTOM AND SIDES OF DOORS. (APRROX 1/2 AT FRONT AND REAR, 1 INCH AT BASEMENT DOOR). INSTD TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND RODENT PROOF ALL DOORS. INSTD TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 CRITICAL.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • ALL FOOD AND NON-FOOD EQUIPMENT IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN, DEBRIS BUILD-UP WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS, FREEZER, SINKS, STORAGE SHELVES, MEAT SLICER, STORAGE SHELVES, COUNTERTOPS, AND INTERIOR BOTTOM OF FRYER.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • FLOOR IN VARIOUS AREAS THRU-OUT IN POOR REPAIR, BROKEN/CRACKED FLOOR TILES. INSTD TO REPAIR SAME SO AS TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. FLOOR THRU-OUT NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • HOLES NOTED IN CEILINGS AROUND PIPING AND ALSO HOLE NOTED AT WALLBASE BEHIND COOKING LINE. INSTD TO SEAL ANY AND ALL HOLES NOTED. STAINED AND MISSING CEILING TILES THRU-OUT. REPLACE SAME. LIGHTSHIELDS THRU-OUT NOT CLEAN. CLEAN SAME.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • CLUTTER/UNUSED EQUIPMENT ON SITE. INSTD TO REMOVE SAME TO PREVENT RODENT HARBORAGE.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served.OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON PREMISES WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED.
    • 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.UPPER SCREEN AT REAR DOOR TORN/POOR REPAIR. MUST REPLACE.
    • 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.FOUND BROKEN FLOOR TILES IN PREP AREA,MUST REPLACE. ALSO DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN BASEMENT AND WATER PUDDLES. MUST CLEAN FLOORS AND KEEP FLOORS DRY IN BASEMENT.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. NO LIGHTS IN BASEMENT. MUST INSTALL/PROVIDE.
  5. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • Use dustless cleaning methods. The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.REPLACE SOILED CEILING TILES.
  6. Consultation

    3 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • FOUND OVER 75 RAT DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT BASEMENT AND ONE DEAD, DECAYING RAT LOCATED IN MIDDLE OF BASEMENT FLOOR. ALSO, FOUND 20 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ALONG WALL BASE BEHIND BULK FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, NEAR UTILITY SINK, BY REFRIGERATOR AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMEND PEST CONTROL TO SERVICE PREMISES. SERIOUS 7-38-020 ISSUED.
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST LABEL AND DATE PREP/COOKED FOODS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER IN COOLERS.
    • 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. REPLACE SOILED CEILING TILES.
  7. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. must label and dated prep/cooked foods not in original container in coolers.
    • 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. replace soiled ceiling tiles.
  8. Canvass Re-Inspection

    6 infractions

    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • One copy of the Food Inspection Report Summary must be displayed and visible to all customers. REPORT SUMMARY NOT POSTED- CITATION ISSUED- SERIOUS 7-42-010(b)
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. ALL FOODS STORED IN COOLERS & FREEZERS MUST B E LABELED & DATED.
    • 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. CLEAN EXTERIOR OF REACH-IN FREEZER
    • 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. DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG ALL WALL BASES AND IN CORNERS THROUGHOUT. ALSO CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
    • 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. REPLACE ALL STAINED & BROKEN CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT. FINISH PAINTING WALLS THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. REPLACE MISSING WALL COVINGS ALONG BASES OF WALLS. FINISH REPAIRING AREAS(CORNERS) AT FRONT AND REAR DOORS(MUST BE TIGHT-FITTING AT SIDES, CORNERS AND BOTTOMS).
    • 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. ELIMINATE CLUTERRY AREAS IN BASEMENT.
  9. No Entry

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED: NO RECEIPTS, NO CURRENT COPY OF BUSINESS LICENSE, NO MAP, NO MSDS FORMS, NO DOCUMENTATION FROM COMPANY IN BOOK- MUST UPDATE BOOK. REAR EXIT DOOR HAS A LARGE GAP( 1 INCH) IN LOWER RIGHT CORNER, FRONT DOOR HAS A LARGE GAP( 3/4 INCH ) AT LEFT LOWER CORNER- MUST REPAIR BOTH MAKING THEM TIGHT-FITTING TO PREVENT RODENT ENTRY. 10 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED SCATTERED ALONG BASE OF WALLS, MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS- CITATION ISSUED- SERIOUS
    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • A certified food service manager must be present in all establishments at which potentially hazardous food is prepared or served. NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON PREMISES AT TIME OF INVESTIGATION- CITATION ISSUED- SERIOUS
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. ALL FOODS STORED IN COOLERS & FREEZERS MUST B E LABELED & DATED.
    • 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. CLEAN EXTERIOR OF REACH-IN FREEZER
    • 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. DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG ALL WALL BASES AND IN CORNERS THROUGHOUT. ALSO CLEAN FLOOR IN BASEMENT.
    • 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. REPLACE ALL STAINED & BROKEN CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT. FINISH PAINTING WALLS THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. REPLACE MISSING WALL COVINGS ALONG BASES OF WALLS.
    • 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. ELIMINATE CLUTERRY AREAS IN BASEMENT.

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