Charlie's Old Chicago Red Hots

Year by year

Inspections

1. Jan 26, 2026 Re-inspection · 1 priority, 1 priority foundation, 2 repeat
   • Serious Priority Repeat

     PLUMBING - BACKFLOW PREVENTION - AIR GAP

     No air gap provided on soda machine or ice machine. Instructed PIC to correct issue. Returned on 1/26/2026 for reinspection. Observed ice bin/soda fountain machine does now have an air gap. Observed ice machine does not have a air gap. Observed condensation line was cut and has an air gap but the drain line coming off ice machine does not. Informed PIC and provided education on which pipe needed an air gap. PIC stated they will get an air gap for the ice machine.

     Correction: Provide an air gap on water supply side to protect water supply.

     Code 5-202.13

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Repeat Corrected on site

     HAND DRYING PROVISION

     No single-use toweling or other hand drying device available at employee handwashing sink for hand drying. PIC was aware of situation and had submitted work order to receive resupply of paper towels. Practice was to use cloth towels. Returned on 1/26/2026 for reinspection. Observed no paper towel at handwashing near shake machine and observe no paper towel dispensing from paper towle dispener in kitchen. Informed PIC and PIC resupplied paper towel dispensor and fixed the other one.

     Correction: Provide single-use toweling or other approved devices at employee handwashing sink to facilitate proper handwashing.

     Code 6-301.12

2. Oct 27, 2025 Routine · 5 priority, 6 priority foundation, 5 core
   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     WHEN TO WASH

     Employee observed not washing hands after handling raw meat and then donned gloves without first washing hands. Sanitarian had employee wash hands, then don new set of gloves. Sanitarian advised employee to always wash hands before donning gloves.

     Correction: Employees shall wash their hands after engaging in any activity that may cause their hands to become contaminated.

     Code 2-301.14

   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     PACKAGED AND UNPACKAGED FOOD - RAW OVER RTE-FOODS

     Combination refrigerator/freezer. Feta cheese crumbles stored under raw chicken. Sanitarian had employee rearrange storage within fridge such that raw animal food was stored below ready-to-eat foods..

     Correction: Reorganize food storage so that ready-to-eat foods are stored above raw animal food and raw vegetables. Discard ready-to-eat foods that show evidence of contamination.

     Code 3-302.11 (A) (1)

   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     TCS FOOD - HOT HOLDING

     Cone meat on cone meat heater is hot held at 81°F. Sanitarian had employee shave off cone meat until raw portion reached, discard shavings, then hold remaining cone meat at proper temperature. Observed shaved cone meat not being hot held and waiting for order. Employee stated cooked meat is cut off cone so it does not dry out and it sits for a time waiting for an order and cooked meat is also cooled for later reheat.

     Correction: Maintain time/temperature control for safety food at or above 135°F. Discard unsafe food items.

     Code 3-501.16 (A) (1)

   • Serious Priority

     PLUMBING - BACKFLOW PREVENTION - AIR GAP

     No air gap provided on soda machine or ice machine. Instructed PIC to correct issue.

     Correction: Provide an air gap on water supply side to protect water supply.

     Code 5-202.13

   • Serious Priority Corrected on site

     TOXIC SUBSTANCES - STORAGE

     Paint and cleaning agents in back of kitchen is stored on top of ice machine. Sanitarian had employee move toxic substances to a storage area away from food equiment, utensils, or single service items

     Correction: Rearrange area so that toxic materials are stored below or away from food, equipment and single service items.

     Code 7-201.11 (B)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     CLEAN-UP OF VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

     Food establishment does not have procedures that address responding to vomiting or diarrheal events. Informed PIC of requirement and instructed them to correct.

     Correction: Develop procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. Specifically actions that employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination.

     Code 2-501.11

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     THAWING

     Frozen precooked hot dogs were being improperly thawed in ambient air atop rack sitting above prep sink. Sanitarian observed that hot dogs in package were thawed. Employee stated that hot dogs were removed in the morning to thaw. Employee discard hot dogs.

     Correction: Adjust procedures or methods to properly thaw foods.

     Code 3-501.13 (A) - (D)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     RTE/TCS FOOD - PROPER DATE MARKING

     Prepared TCS/RTE foods in line and prep fridges were not marked with their respective dates of preparation. Informed employee of requirement to mark date of preparation for TCS/RTE foods. Employee date marked RTE foods.

     Correction: Adjust method or procedures so that all ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, if required, are provided with date marking or an effective method of identifying when a food item has exceeded 7 days. Discard improperly date marked food or food that has past the 7 day shelf life.

     Code 3-501.17 (A)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES - PROVIDED

     No thermometer is present for monitoring temperatures in foods. Informed PIC that thermometer is required. PIC stated that a new thermometer will be acquired.

     Correction: Provide a thermometer that is easily accessible and capable of taking temperatures in food.

     Code 4-302.12 (A)

   • Not serious Priority Foundation Corrected on site

     WAREWASHING - SANITIZING SOLUTION - TESTING DEVICES

     A hypochlorite test kit is not available for checking sanitizer concentrations. Informed PIC. PIC stated that an applicable test kit will be purchased.

     Correction: Provide a test kit or other device for measuring the concentration of sanitizing solutions.

     Code 4-302.14

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     HAND DRYING PROVISION

     No single-use toweling or other hand drying device available at employee handwashing sink for hand drying. PIC was aware of situation and had submitted work order to receive resupply of paper towels. Practice was to use cloth towels.

     Correction: Provide single-use toweling or other approved devices at employee handwashing sink to facilitate proper handwashing.

     Code 6-301.12

   • Not serious Core Corrected on site

     IN-USE UTENSILS, BETWEEN USE STORAGE

     In-use knives were improperly stored between prep line fridges. PIC was informed of violation, then washed/rinsed/sanitized knives and stored in proper area.

     Correction: Store in-use utensils in the food item with handle extended, on a clean surface, running dipper well or in a container of water greater than 135°F.

     Code 3-304.12

   • Not serious Core Corrected on site

     WIPING CLOTHS - USE LIMITATION - CLOTHS FOR WIPING COUNTERS STORED IN SANITIZER

     Wiping cloth used for wiping surfaces stored on prep surface. Informed PIC of violation. PIC placed wiping cloth back in sanitizing solution.

     Correction: Cloths used for wiping counters and equipment shall be stored in a sanitizing solution in between uses.

     Code 3-304.14 (B) (1)

   • Not serious Core

     NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES - CLEANING FREQUENCY

     The fan vent panels were not cleaned on a frequent basis and had accumulated soil residues. Informed PIC and instructed to correct.

     Correction: Clean all equipment on a routine basis to prevent accumulation of soil residues.

     Code 4-602.13

   • Not serious Core Corrected on site

     UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT AND SINGLE-USE ARTICLES, LINENS - STORING PROHIBITIONS - SELF DRAINING POSITION

     Ladles were improperly stored in such a manner that prevented self-draining during air drying. Informed PIC. Ladles were re-washed, rinsed, and sanitized before being stored in inverted position.

     Correction: Clean equipment and utensils shall be stored in a self-draining position to allow for air drying and covered or inverted.

     Code 4-903.11 (B)

   • Not serious Core

     FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS - CLEANABILITY

     The wall behding three compartment sink in the warewashing area has holes and deterioration of paint, caulking, and cladding that prevents it from being smooth, impervious, and cleanable. PIC informed of violation and instructed to repair.

     Correction: Provide floors, walls, and ceilings that are designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable.

     Code 6-201.11

3. Feb 27, 2025 Pre-inspection · 1 priority, 1 priority foundation, 4 core
   • Serious Priority

     PLUMBING - BACKFLOW PREVENTION - AIR GAP

     Observed no air gap provided on ice machine infront of establishment, ice machine back by warewashing area and prep sink in warewashing area. Instructed owner to provide air gaps on those area. Owner stated they will get an air gap on those areas.

     Correction: Provide an air gap on water supply side to protect water supply.

     Code 5-202.13

   • Not serious Priority Foundation

     DEMONSTRATION OF KNOWLEDGE - ILLNESS REPORTING RESPONSIBILITES

     Observed person in charge is unable to demonstrate knowledge regarding foodborne illness reporting requirements by employees. Establishment does not have written employee illness policy to provide training on foodborne illness signs and symptoms and provide training to employees regarding their responsibility in reporting foodborne illness signs and symptoms to the person in charge. Instructed owner to have a written employee illness policy. Owner stated they will get an employee illness policy.

     Correction: Obtain training on foodborne illness signs and symptoms and provide training to employees regarding their responsibility in reporting foodborne illness signs and symptoms to the person in charge.

     Code 2-102.11 (C) (17)

   • Not serious Core

     EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS - NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES - CONSTRUCTED

     Observed some chairs in the dining room are damaged and torn. Observed areas of the top apart of the hood system is damaged. Instructed owner to repair or repair those affected area making them easily cleanable. Owner stated they will repair those areas.

     Correction: Provide non-food contact surfaces that are constructed of a corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material.

     Code 4-101.19

   • Not serious Core

     PLUMBING - SYSTEM MAINTAINED IN GOOD REPAIR

     Observed the 3 compartment sink faucet is not maintained in good repair and leaks. Informed owner and owner stated they will get the faucet repaired.

     Correction: The plumbing system shall be maintained in good repair. Repair or replace defective or leaking plumbing.

     Code 5-205.15 (B)

   • Not serious Core

     FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS - CLEANABILITY

     Observed floor tiles in dininig room, walls in dinning room and kitchen are damaged, chipped and cracked. Observed handwashing sink near bathrooms, handwashing sink in kitchen and 3 comparmtent sink in warewashing \are not sealed to the wall. Instructed owner to reapir these affect area to make them easily cleanable. Owner stated they will repair those areas.

     Correction: Provide floors, walls, and ceilings that are designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable.

     Code 6-201.11

   • Not serious Core

     FLOOR AND WALL JUNCTURES, COVED, AND ENCLOSED OR SEALED

     Observed floor and wall juncture in back dry storage and warewashing area are not coved. Instructed owner to cove the back dry storage and warewashing area. Owner stated they will get it reapaired.

     Correction: Provide base coving.

     Code 6-201.13 (A)