Mouse Droppings Found at Local Ethnic Restaurant: Health Inspections

Patch examined inspection reports in Lincoln Square during the month of April. Information has been compiled using publicly available data published to the website of the Chicago Department of Public Health's Food Protection Program.

Restaurants can pass, pass with conditions or fail using a standardized procedure. Establishments that pass don't have any critical or serious violations. Those that receive 'pass with conditions' had serious violations, but the violations were corrected during the inspection. Failed establishments had serious violations that weren't correctable during the inspection. A fail rating does not mean the business's license is automatically suspended.

All inspections are done on a routine canvass, unless otherwise noted.

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Opart Thai House, 4658 N. Western Ave.
Inspection date: April 9
Results: Pass with conditions
Violations: The inspector observed poor hygienic practices and issued a serious citation. Three food handlers were touching potentially hazardous foods without washing hands and then touching dirty towels and dishes. Another employee was seen rinsing his mouth and hands inside the three-compartment sink. Hands must only be washed inside the exposed sink with warm water and soap.

Employees were also washing large utensils without sanitizer and another critical citation was issued. Food inside the storage coolers weren’t properly labeled and a gasket inside the cooler was broken.

The inspector found “excessive food debris and grease build-up” on cooking equipment, floors, coolers, shelving, ice machine and food storage containers. The walls and vents were also crusted with food debris. The ice machine was missing a back flow prevention device and unnecessary clutter needs to be cleaned to prevent pests. 

TBS African Restaurant, 2541 W. Lawrence Ave.
Inspection date: April 2, April 9
Results: Fail, Pass
Violations: On April 2 visit, the inspector found more than 60 mouse droppings on the floor and along the walls. Management needs to sanitize the area and call pest control; a serious citation was issued.

Management also needs to clean the excessive food debris and grease on the coolers, freezer, cooking equipment, floors and prep tables. The inspector found broken and missing light shields and unnecessary clutter in the restaurant.

On a second visit, there was no evidence of mouse droppings, but the inspector still saw a large amount of food and grease on the equipment. All other violations were corrected.

Lyman A. Budlong Elementary School, 2701 W. Foster Ave.
Inspection date: April 8
Results: Pass
Violations: The inspector found food debris on the coolers, freezers, cabinets, microwave and mop sink. Floors also had excessive debris and dust build-up. School officials need to seal openings on the walls in the mop closets and install light bulb shields. In the basement, the girls bathroom didn’t have adequate hot water pressure and the inspector found unnecessary clutter.

Han Bat Restaurant, 2723 W. Lawrence Ave.
Inspection date: April 5
Results: Pass
Violations: The inspector found broken gaskets on the doors of two reach-in coolers, and “excessive rust” under the three-compartment sink. Management needs to replace cutting boards and missing wall panels.  All cold units had food debris and ice build-ups and cleaning towels need to be properly stored in approved sanitizer.

Beans and Bagels, 2601 W. Leland Ave.
Inspection date: April 2
Results: Pass
Violations: The inspector found excessive debris on all floors, cooking equipment, cabinets, prep tables, ice machine and holding cases. Management needs to repaint the wall behind the three-compartment sink, repair light fixtures above the prep tables and properly store cleaning towels in sanitizer.