Gino's East Of Chicago

Restaurant

521 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605

The Loop

Apr 6, 2023 — Complaint inspection

Fail

Triggered by a public complaint about this restaurant.

Inspectors found about 30 rat droppings in basement and bar areas, plus 100+ live flies throughout the facility including the food prep area.

Standout Inspection

We flagged this inspection for serious public health concerns.

Key Findings

Severe pest infestation: approximately 30 rat droppings in basement storage and under the first-floor bar area; about 100 live flies spotted on walls and ceilings in bathrooms, hallway, and food prep area.
Raw chicken and fish were being thawed improperly in stagnant water at a sink instead of under cold running water, risking bacterial growth.
Gaps of up to one inch were found around the front entrance and side doors, allowing potential rodent entry.
Food prep area in basement storage lacked a handwashing sink, forcing staff to prep bagels without proper sanitation access.

Key findings are derived directly from the inspector's notes from the Chicago Department of Public Health. See the full violation notes below.

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Violation code #38 — INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector's Notes:

6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 30 RAT DROPPINGS LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT STORAGE AREA AND UNDER THE 1ST FLOOR BAR AREA BY THE CUSTOMER SITTING. ALSO OBSERVED ABOUT 50 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE MEN'S ROOM ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS, ABOUT 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM ON THE CEILING, ABOUT 10 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN THE HALLWAY LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE TOILET ROOMS AND ABOUT 30 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE ALL PEST ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

Violation code #35 — APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector's Notes:

3-501.13 OBSERVED FACILITY IMPROPERLY THAWING TCS FOODS (RAW CHICKEN, RAW FISH) AT A 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN STAGNANT WATER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY THAW ALL TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER (NOT EXCEEDING 70F) UNTIL THE PRODUCT REACHES AN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 41F.