CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at BLUE DOOR KITCHEN + GARDEN in an inspection dated 04/18/2023.
The facility operates from 52 W ELM ST in River West, an area known for its diverse dining options. Health inspections in this district help ensure consistent food safety standards.
The inspection identified 3 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation involved hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Hands Clean & Properly Washed - Comments: Observed Employee Switched From Handling Dirty Dishes to Clean Dishes Without Washing Hands and Changing Gloves Between Tasks. Food Employee Must Practive Good Hygiene By Properly Washing Hands When Changing Tasks. Discussed Proper Hand Washing with Employee and Managers on Site. Priority Violation 7-38-010 Citation Issued.. 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. The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks.
The second violation related to sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, & Used - Comments: Observed In-use Cookline Utensils Stored in a Quat Sanitizer Container. Utensils Are Not Air-dried Before Use and May Lead to Chemical Contamination. Toxic Materials Must Be Stored So They Cannot Contaminate Food, Equipment, Utensils, Linens or Single Service Articles. Manager Removed In-use Cookline Utensils From Sanitizer Solution and Replaced with Clean and Dry Utensils in an Empty Container. Priority Violation 7-38-005 Citation Issued.. 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. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
The third violation related to food safety requirements. Inspectors documented: Compliance with Variance/specialized Process/haccp - Comments: Observed Raw Sausage Is Prepared with Reduced Oxygen Packaging, Found in Basemen. Non-compliance with safety standards may create conditions that compromise food safety.
Establishments receiving violations must submit correction plans and may face additional inspections. Failure to address violations can result in fines, permit suspension, or closure.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/18/2023 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: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED HOLES AROUND PIPING IN THE BASEMENT AREA NEAR THE FLOOR KETTLE AS WELL AS SMALL OPENING IN THE CORNERS OF THE CEILING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ANY OPENINGS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT ACTIVITY.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE DEEP FRYER WITH A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO POST CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES.; CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING THAT ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ARE SERVED UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OPENING AT LEFT SIDE BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR LEADING TO ALLEY. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PREP/DUMP SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR A MINIMUM OF ONE SINK USED FOR FOOD PREPARATION, OBTAINING WATER AND DISCARDING LIQUID WASTE IS REQUIRED IN ANY PREPARATION AREA; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED WATER LEAKING FROM HOT WATER KNOB OF FAUCET OF HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET OF HANDWASHING SINK IN FIRST FLOOR BAR. OBSERVED LEAKING FROM BASE OF HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK AT BASE OF HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN DISHWASHING AREA.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED REDDISH BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF BOTH FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR OF BOTH FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT BASEMENT PREP AREA.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED NONWORKING CEILING LIGHT IN SOUTHSIDE ALL GENDER WASHROOM ON FIRST FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE NONWORKING LIGHT IN SOUTHSIDE ALL GENDER WASHROOM ON FIRST FLOOR.; ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED EXPIRED ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE FOR ONE EMPLOYEE WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WITH CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATES.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOOR IN THE WALK IN COOLER ON THE LOWER LEVEL DEBRIS UNDER SHELVING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS ON THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING POSSIBLE PEST AND OR INSECT FEEDING AND HARBORING.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET LOCATED AT THE HAND SINK IN THE FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF GREASE ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE DEEP FRYERS IN THE FRONT FOOD SERVICE AREA AS WELL AS A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS IN THE DRAINS IN THE REAR DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS.; HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE SWITCHED FROM HANDLING DIRTY DISHES TO CLEAN DISHES WITHOUT WASHING HANDS AND CHANGING GLOVES BETWEEN TASKS. FOOD EMPLOYEE MUST PRACTIVE GOOD HYGIENE BY PROPERLY WASHING HANDS WHEN CHANGING TASKS. DISCUSSED PROPER HAND WASHING WITH EMPLOYEE AND MANAGERS ON SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.; TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED - Comments: OBSERVED IN-USE COOKLINE UTENSILS STORED IN A QUAT SANITIZER CONTAINER. UTENSILS ARE NOT AIR-DRIED BEFORE USE AND MAY LEAD TO CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION. TOXIC MATERIALS MUST BE STORED SO THEY CANNOT CONTAMINATE FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS OR SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES. MANAGER REMOVED IN-USE COOKLINE UTENSILS FROM SANITIZER SOLUTION AND REPLACED WITH CLEAN AND DRY UTENSILS IN AN EMPTY CONTAINER. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED RAW SAUSAGE IS PREPARED WITH REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING, FOUND IN BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. A HACCP PLAN WAS NOT SUBMITTED TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN A ROP OPERATION WITHOUT A VARIENCE. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGER ON SITE. ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN DISCARDED ON SITE AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $150.00 AND AN ESTIMATED WEIGHT VALUE OF 5 POUNDS. ROP MACHINE HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. FACILITY MUST REACH OUT TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE MORE INFORMATION AT CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED RAW SAUSAGE IS PREPARED WITH REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING, FOUND IN BASEMENT WALK-IN COOLER. A HACCP PLAN WAS NOT SUBMITTED TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN A ROP OPERATION WITHOUT A VARIENCE. DISCUSSED WITH MANAGER ON SITE. ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN DISCARDED ON SITE AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $150.00 AND AN ESTIMATED WEIGHT VALUE OF 5 POUNDS. ROP MACHINE HAS BEEN TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. FACILITY MUST REACH OUT TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE MORE INFORMATION AT CDPHFOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG. SEE ABOVE IN VIOLATION #29 FOR PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION THAT WAS ISSUED.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: EXTERIOR BACK EXIT DOORS HAS AN OPENING GAP AT BOTTOM OF DOOR WHICH ALLOWS FOR PESTS. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE: SELF-CLOSING, SOLID AND TIGHT FITTING, AND LIMITED TO DESIGNATED USE.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: LINENS ARE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH ASPARAGUS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. LINENS MAY NOT BE USED IN CONTACT WITH FOODS.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: PLASTIC CUPS AND BOWLS USED AS A SCOOP WITHOUT A HANDLE IN DRY STORAGE FOOD CONTAINERS. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH SCOOP THAT HAS A HANDLE.; WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND PREP COUNTER. CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED CLEAN UTENSILS SUCH AS FORKS AND KNIVES SET OUT ON AT CUSTOMER TABLES WHICH IS NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION. UTENSILS MUST BE COVERED AND/OR WRAPED CLEAN UTENSILS SHALL BE HANDLED, DISPLAYED, AND DISPENSED SO THAT FOOD AND LIP CONTACT SURFACES ARE PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: CLEAN DISHWARE STORED ON SHELVES ON 1ST FLOOR AND BASEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN AIR DRIED PROPERLY AFTER SANITIZING. AFTER CLEANING AND SANITZING ALL EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS SHALL BE AIR DRIED BEFORE USE. CLOTH DRYING OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IS NOT APPROVED.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED GASKET HEAVILY SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS IN PREP-LINE DRAWER UNDER COOKLINE. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: THE RESTROOM ON 2ND FLOOR AND MAIN FLOOR DOES NOT HAVE A TIGHT-FITTING AND SELF-CLOSING DOOR. ALL TOILET ROOMS LOCATED WITHIN A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT MUST BE ENCLOSED WITH A TIGHT-FITTING AND SELF-CLOSING DOOR.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOUND IN BASEMENT (NEAR EQUIPMENT STORAGE) AND 2ND FLOOR (COFFEE STATION) THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.; ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: CURRENT CITY CERTIFIED MANAGER DOES NOT HAVE A FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION. ALL CITY/PENDING CITY CERTIFIED MANAGERS MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD ALLERGEN CERTIFICATION..
The CDC identifies poor hand hygiene as a leading contributor to foodborne illness outbreaks. Inadequate sanitization allows bacteria to survive and multiply on food contact surfaces.
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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