CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at A.A.A. FOOD AND MINI MART in an inspection dated 08/14/2025.
Situated at 5300 W HARRISON ST, the establishment is part of Austin's active food service sector. The Austin area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. Each violation has established correction procedures that must be followed to achieve compliance.
The first violation concerned hand sanitation. Inspectors documented: 10. Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible - Comments: Observed No Handwashing Signage at Front Hand Sink and Rear Handsink in Prep Area. Instructed Person in Charge to Provide and Maintain Handwashing Signage.. 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.
The second violation involved pest prevention. Inspectors documented: 38. Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed Space Around Rear Exterior Door. Instructed Person in Charge to Make Door Tight Fitting Around Sides.. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces.
The third violation involved temperature control. Inspectors documented: 49. Non-food/food Contact Surfaces Clean - Comments: Observed Build Up on Gaskets of Cold Hold Deli Cooler in Rear Prep Area(flip Top Cooler). Instructed Person in Charge to Clean and Maintain.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. Time-temperature abuse allows harmful bacteria to multiply to levels that can cause illness.
The fourth violation concerned sanitation and cleanliness. Inspectors documented: 55. Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained & Clean - Comments: Observed Litter and Debris on Floor Behind Furnace and Shelving. Instructed Person in Charge to Clean and Maintain All Areas.. 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 correction of health violations is monitored through follow-up inspections and documentation requirements. Establishments must demonstrate that they have addressed the root causes of violations, not just the immediate symptoms.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 08/14/2025 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: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK CONTAINERS (FISH AND CHICKEN BREADING) OF FOOD IN REAR PREP COOLER WITH NO LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON PREMISE DURING TIME OF THE INSPECTION. NOTED APPROXIMTELY 60 SMALL BLACK LIVE FLIES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS... PREP ON ALL EQUIPMENT SURFACES, THROUGHTOUT WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE, REAR STORAGE CLOSET, AND GROCERY ITEMS. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 45 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS IN BETWEEN SHELVING UNITS IN GROCERY SCATTERED ON FLOOR, IN REAR STORAGE AREA IN CORNERS, INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER STORAGE CORNERS, IN TOILET ROOM, AND FRONT NEAR REGISTERS UNDERNEATH PACKAGED CANDY.; GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE RECEPTACLE WITH GREASE BUILD-UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WALLS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA WITH CHIPPED PAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.; PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM INSPECTION REPORT #2591042 FROM DATE 03/14/2024. THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS: #49-OBSERVED ALL HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT, DISPLAY COOLERS, ROLLING CARTS, AND SHELVING UNITS ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN. #55- OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATION, CRATES, AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY NEAR THE OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE AREA AND INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-42-090 CITATION ISSUED.; FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED DURING INSPECTION UTILITY & TOXIC PRODUCT CLOSET USED TO STORE CANDY, SWEDISH FISH, PISTACHIO, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SAID FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AREA CLEAR OF FOOD ITEMS.; FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED DELI MEAT SLICING MACHINE WITH BUILD-UP FOOD DEBRIS, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP FREE OF AN ACCUMULATION OF DUST, DIRT, FOOD RESIDUE, AND OTHER DEBRIS.; PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: DURING INSPECTION, SLICED DELI MEAT, COOKED STEAK, RICE, BEEF STEW, CHICKEN WINGS, PREPARED SANDWICHES WITHOUT ANY LABELS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER DATE MARKING ON ALLTCS FOODS PREPARED ON SITE AND STORED FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTEERS TO DISCARD SAID ITEMS. #7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: DURING INSPECTION, OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING FOOD INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN A THERMOMETER AND MAINTAIN. CITATION ISSUED #7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 125 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION: ALL SHELVING AREAS IN THE GROCERY, SUCH AS POTATO CHIP AREA, DOG FOOD, NOODLES, BEVERAGES, ETC.) SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR IN THE UTILITY CLOSET, REAR PREP AREA, WALK-IN STORAGE, AND STORAGE CLOSET BEHIND THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE ALL SAID AREAS. RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL. MUST ELIMINATE ACTIVITY. PRIROITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020 (A). CITATION ISSUED.; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ALL HEAVY COOKING EQUIPMENT, DISPLAY COOLERS, ROLLING CARTS, AND SHELVING UNITS ENCRUSTED WITH GREASE AND DRIED FOOD DEBRIS INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNUSED REFRIGERATION, CRATES, AND UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY NEAR THE OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE AREA AND INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, ORGANIZE, AND MAINTAIN PREMISES..
Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. Cockroaches can spread E. coli and Salmonella by contaminating food and surfaces. Time-temperature abuse allows harmful bacteria to multiply to levels that can cause illness. Cross-contamination from improperly sanitized equipment is a common cause of foodborne illness.
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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