THE BAR ON BUENA

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE TCS FOODS (COOKED MUSHROOMS AT 150F) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED SOUP IN THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 50F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COLD TCS FOODS BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODS (PORK, HUMMUS AND GUACAMOLE) STORED BEYOND THE 7-DAY MAXIMUM USE BY DATE IN THE PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE OR DISCARD ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS AFTER 7 DAYS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS (HAMBURGERS). MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT WITH AN ASTERISK OR OTHER MEANS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED BOTH METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETERS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY CALIBRATED. THE THERMOMETERS WERE STORED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN A CONTAINER ON THE SHELF IN THE FOOD PREP AREA AND REGISTERED 20F AND 0F. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL PROBE THERMOMETERS PROPERLY CALIBRATED TO ENSURE ACCURACY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA. OBSERVED APPROX. 50 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON THE LIQUOR STORAGE SHELVES INSIDE OF THE LIQUOR STORAGE CAGE AND 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS ON FLOOR OUTSIDE THE LIQUOR STORAGE CAGE. ALSO OBSERVED APPROX. 10 RAT DROPPINGS ALONG THE WALLS OF THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS FROM ALL AFFECTED AREAS. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED THE DOOR TO THE BASEMENT NOT RODENT PROOFED. THERE IS A 1/2" GAP AT THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE DOOR TO THE BASEMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO RODENT PROOF ALL OUTER OPENINGS.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED A DEAD MOUSE ON THE FLOOR OF THE BASEMENT INSIDE OF THE LIQUOR STORAGE CAGE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DEAD RODENTS FROM THE PREMISES.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: REPLACE THE MOLDY AND BUCKLED WOODEN LIQUOR STORAGE SHELVES IN THE BASEMENT.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH A FAUCET THAT DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE LEFT COMPARTMENT OF THE SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A FAUCET WHICH EXTENDS TO ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS SO THAT WATER CAN BE FILLED IN EACH BASIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION ISSUED.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER IN THE BASEMENT. REMOVE ANY UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT SO THAT ALL MATERIALS ARE STORED OFF OF THE FLOOR AND AWAY FROM THE WALLS.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT AND DRYWALL TAPE HANGING FROM THE CEILING ABOVE THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO SCRAPE AND REPAINT CEILING AND REMOVE HANGING DRYWALL TAPE. SMOOTHLY SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS IN THE BASEMENT WALLS, FLOOR, CEILING AND FOUNDATION TO ELIMINATE PEST HARBORAGE CONDITIONS.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A HEAVY BUILDUP OF GREASE AND SOOT ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2625391 ON 10/15/25 NOT CORRECTED: 57 - UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED BAR EMPLOYEE DRINKING FROM A GLASS WITHOUT A LID IN THE BAR AREA AND STORING THE BEVERAGE ON TOP OF COOLER. EMPLOYEES MUST CONSUME BEVERAGES/FOOD IN DESIGNATED AREAS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, ETC.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN WHITE SOIL ACCUMULATION FROM FAN GUARDS IN THE BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREPARATION TABLE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE ALL IN USE WIPING CLOTHS IN BUCKET OF SANITIZER AT APPROPRIATE CONCENTRATION IN BETWEEN USE.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED PANS AND POTS STORED ON THE FRONT PREPARATION AREA SHELF WITH FOOD CONTACT SURFACES EXPOSED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT OR PROTECT FOOD CONTACT SURFACES FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILD UP OF HARD WATER/MINERAL DEPOSITS ON INTERIOR LID OF ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DETAIL CLEAN AND REGULARLY MAINTAIN INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE TO ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE HARD WATER BUILD UP.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER: GUACAMOLE 47.3F, MAYONNAISE 46.8F, HUMMUS 45.7F, SALSA 44.6F. MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 8 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $30.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: EQUIPMENT NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE. NOTED TEMPERATURE OF THE SERVICE COOLER AT THE PREP AREA TO BE IMPROPER AT 48F. INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE EQUIPMENT UNTIL MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE OF 41F AND BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: NOTED CONDIMENT DISPOSABLE CUP WITH NO HANDLE USED FOR SCOOPING SERVING FOOD AT THE SERVICE PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TONGS, SERVING SPOONS, OR LADLE FOR SCOOPING FOOD.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: NOTED A SLIMY AND GREY SUBSTANCE INSIDE THE SODA GUN DISPENSER AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY AT THE BASEMENT FOOD/DRY STORAGE AREA AND ALONG WALLS OF THE BAR.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED THE ICE SCOOP STORED ON TOP OF THE ICE MACHINE UNIT BEHIND THE BAR/ FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL ICE SCOOPS IN AN APPROPRIATE STORAGE UNIT AND MAINTAIN THEM.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE SHELVING UNIT IN THE WALK-IN BEER COOLER IN THE BASEMENT WITH SEVERE RUST BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SO THAT THE NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACE IS RUST-FREE, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE AND MAINTAINED.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE DOOR OF THE WALK-IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT NOT PROPERLY CLOSING AND STAYING CLOSED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID DOOR SO THAT WHEN THE UNIT DOOR IS CLOSED, IT STAYS CLOSED.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: OBSERVED THE FACILITY NOT MEETING COMPLIANCE WITH THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURES OF 100-120 F THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AND THREE-COMPARTMENT SINKS IN THE FACILITY MAINTAINED TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 85.1-86.5 F AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT WATER REACHING AND MAINTAINING AT LEAST 100 F FOR ALL HANDWASHING SINKS TO WASH HANDS ADEQUATELY, AND ALL THREE-COMPARTMENT SINKS MUST REACH AT LEAST 110 F TO WASH PROPERLY, RINSE, AND SAINITZE DISHWARE. PRIORITY VIOLATION, 7-38-030(C), NO CITATION ISSUED.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY WITH AN EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TO RETAKE THE ALLERGEN TRAINING COURSE AND MAINTAIN RECORDS ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS AROUND DOORS/DOOR HINDGES ALSO OBSERVED FOOD/DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON PREP AREA FLOOR/ALONG WALLS BEHIND COOLERS. MUST CLEAN PREP AREA FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: THE FOLLOWING NOT CLEAN- OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS INSIDE PREP AREA REACH IN COOLERS AROUND DOORS/DOOR HINDGES ALSO OBSERVED FOOD/DUST BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. MUST CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD/DIRT BUILD UP ON PREP AREA FLOOR/ALONG WALLS BEHIND COOLERS. MUST CLEAN PREP AREA FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED ROUGH FLOOR AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA, CRACKED FLOOR INSIDE BEER WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: NOTED SERVING DISHES INSIDE CONTAINER AT WATER AT THE PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DRY AND PROPERLY STORE ALL EQUIPMENT.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: NOTED SLIGHT DUST AND FOOD DEBRIS AND DIRT ON POTATO SLICER AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA ATTACHED TO THE WALL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, MAINTAIN AND/OR REPLACE.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: NOTED NO HOT RUNNING WATER THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. HOT WATER TEMPERATURES WERE AS FOLLOWS:-HAND WASH SINKS 66.2F/54.7F, 3 COMPARTMENT SINK 70.3F/56.4F, BATHROOM HAND WASH SINKS 53.6F/55.4F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO HAVE HOT RUNNING WATER OF ABOUT 100F MINIMUM FOR HAND WASH SINKS AND 110F FOR 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C).

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: NOTED WASHROOMS ON-PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASHROOMS AND UNISEX WASHROOMS

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED ROUGH FLOOR AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA, CRACKED FLOOR INSIDE BEER WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS AT THE DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION INSIDE, ON PIPES/CONDUITS, AND ON EDGES OF THE EXHAUST HOOD FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN HOOD, FILTERS, AND PIPES/CONDUITS.