CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at BLUEBIRD in an inspection dated 04/10/2023.
Situated at 3938 N CENTRAL AVE, the establishment is part of Avondale's active food service sector. The Avondale area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 6 distinct violations requiring correction. Health inspectors document such issues to ensure establishments take corrective action promptly.
The first violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Management, Food Employee and Conditional Employee. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
The second violation concerned food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Knowledge, Responsibilities and Reporting - Comments: Observed No Written Employee Health Policy on the Premises. Management Instructed to Provide and Maintain a Signed Employee Health Policy for Each Employee. Priority Foundation Violation 7-38-010,citation Issued.. Violations of health codes can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
The third violation involved cleaning procedures. Inspectors documented: Food-contact Surfaces: Cleaned & Sanitized - Comments: Observed a Slight Debris Accumulation Encrusted on the Interior of the Ice Machine.must Remove Debris, Detail Clean Inside Ice Machine/have Serviced and Maintain Ice Machine at All Times.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses.
The fourth violation related to sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: Observed Excessive Grease Build-up on Floor Underneath the Deep Fryers in Kitchen Prep Area.instructed to Detail Clean and Maintain.. FDA sanitation guidelines require regular cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact surfaces to prevent cross-contamination and bacterial growth. For more information, see FDA sanitation standards. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
The fifth violation involved food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Adequate Ventilation & Lighting. Regulatory standards exist to minimize health risks to consumers.
The sixth violation related to hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: Designated Areas Used - Comments: Instructed to Remove Accumulation of Dusts on Ceiling Ventilation Covers in Washrooms and to Maintain.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/10/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED NO HANDWASH SIGNAGE AT KITHCHEN HANDSINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED BAR ICE MACHINE NOT CLEAN. NOTED TOP OF INTERNAL FRONT FACING ICE DISPENSER WITH SLIGHT ORANGE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL INTERIOR SURFACES AND MAINTAIN; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: NOTED WIPING CLOTHES STORED ON KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD. INSTRUCTED TO STORE CLOTHS IN PROPER SANITIZING BUCKETS AND SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USE.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED BROKEN GASKET ON 4 DOOR REFRIGERATOR, AND BROKEN/ RUSTED DOOR OF CHEST FREEZER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: NOTED COMPARTMENT UNDER FRYERS IN KITCHEN AND SIDES AND CORDS OF COOKING EQUIPMENT WITH HEAVY GREASE AND ENCRUSTED FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: NOTED GROUNDS BEHIND AND UNDERNEATH GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH HEAVY DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF DEBRIS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED ENCRUSTED GREASE AND DUST ON SOUTHEAST CORNER FLOORS, WALLS AND CEILINGS AND ON CEILING ABOVE REAR EXIT IN KITCHEN, AND NORTH WALL IN KITCHEN WITH DUST. INSTRUCTED TO DEEP CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: NOTED HEAVY GREASE BUILD UP ON VENTILATION HOOD FILTERS. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE CLEANING FREQUENCY AND MAINTAIN.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED ANY PERSONS WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE TO COMPLY WITH COMPLETION OF TRAINING AND PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION ON SITE AT ALL TIMES; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED LARGE FOOD STORAGE BINS WITH NO LABEL. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO IDENTIFY ALL FOOD BULK STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF CONTENTS.; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED GASKETS OF 1 DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN MAIN KITCHEN PREP AREA TO BE HEAVILY TORN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ANY TORN GASKETS.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED TILES BELOW STANDING 4 HALF DOOR COOLER TO BE HEAVILY DAMAGED AND LOOSE. OBSERVED MISSING BASEBOARD BEHIND 4 HALF DOOR STANDING COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TILES BELOW STANDING COOLER AND BASEBOARD TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA BELOW SHELVES AND BEHIND CHEST FREEZERS TO BE SOILED WITH LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS AND DUST BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA FREE OF HEAVY FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EXHAUST HOOD IN THE MAIN KITCHEN PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN FREE OF HEAVY GREASE AND DUST BUILD UP.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FAN IN LEFT SIDE BATHROOM TO NOT BE FUNCTIONAL AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE TO PROVIDE A FORM OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN LEFT SIDE BATHROOM.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: PINK SUBSTANCE INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE WATER RESERVOIR AT FRONT BAR AREA.CLEAN,SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: A BUCKET WITH SANITIZE SOLUTION AND LINEN MUST BE PROVIDED AT PREP TABLES; IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MULTI USE UTENSILS MUST BE PROPERLY PROTECTED,INVERT TO MINIMIZE SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION; FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: WHITE CHEST FREEZER LIDS ARE RUSTY NOT CLEANABLE.INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: BLACK GRIMES INSIDE THE LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE.INSTRUCTED TO DELIMAR,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: REPAIRED CEILING IN BASEMENT AREA NOT SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL; FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL DRY FOOD IN CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH A COMMON NAME; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: GREASE INSIDE THE CABINET OF DEEP FRYERS,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: BROKEN CEILING WALL ABOVE THE REACH-IN COOLER IN BASEMENT AREA. ALSO REPAIRED CEILING NOT EASILY CLEANABLE. SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL,BASEMENT STORAGE AREA..
Allergen cross-contact can occur when surfaces are not properly cleaned between uses. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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