Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark

Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display

Observed large black waste/ and non-potable water) pipes located directly above food preperation area (juicing, bakery, open bottles) located in basement. Instructed to provide an approved enclosure of piping to prevent possible forms of contamination to foodfood contact surfaces. Must maintain as required. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

Personal cleanliness

2-402.11 observed two food handlers handling food without proper hair/beard restraints. Instructed to provide and maintain in order to prevent possible contamination.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

4-601.11(c) observed all equipment stored in 1st floor prep as well as basement prep in need of cleaning. Noted dried food splatter on walls, cooling units, exterior surfaces of equipment, shelving units, inside and alongside frying and grill equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

5-501.11 observed outside grease receptacle in need of cleaning. Noted grease build up on surfaces of said receptacle. Instructed to clean and maintain

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

6-501.114 observed items stored improperly on basement floors throughout storage spaces. Insturcted to organize, remove unnecesary items and elevate at least 6 inches off floor in order to prevent hiding space for pest. Must maintain premise.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

6-501.14 observed all vents in ceiling 1st floor prep area as well as ventilation hood with accumulated dust and dirt debris. Instucted to clean and maintain

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

6-303.11 observed inadequate lighting in basement pastry and prep area. Instructed to increase.

City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate

Observed no city of Chicago certified food manager on site during time of inspection certificate while preparing and serving tcs foods, sliced deli meat, milk, sweet potato, chicken,sliced tomato. Instructed to provide and maintain at least one certificate holder on premise while open and operating. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-012. Citation issued.

Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use

Observed employee coffee stored on prep table in basement without covering and strawe inside. Instructed to provide closed beverage in order to prevent contamination.

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Observed internal white panel of ice machine with black and pink mold like build up on food contact surface and dripping on to ice used for human consumption. Instructed clean and sanitize equipment and maintain as required. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

Compliance with variance/specialized process/HACCP

Observed no HACCP plan approval on premise for fermenting approximately 50 lbs tcs food (sauerkraut) stored in basement on shelving rack next to baking ingredients as well as walk in cooler during time of inspection. A total value of $65 per pic. Instructed to submit HACCP plan/variance request to prepare on site. Said food was discarded at this time. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

Variance obtained for specialized processing methods

Observed no variance documentation on site for fermentation as required by cdph. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. Please see above violation for citation information.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Observed approximately 28 small rodent droppings scattered on floor and on top of cardboard boxes containing restaurant supplies in storage area connected to pastry prep and liquor storage.instructed to contact pest control for additional service, remove droppings, clean and sanitize said space. Must eliminate pest activity on premise.priority foundation violation. #7-38-020 (a). Citation issued.

Personal cleanliness

Observed two food handlers handling food without proper hair/beard restraints. Instructed to provide and maintain in order to prevent possible contamination.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Observed all equipment stored in 1st floor prep as well as basement prep in need of cleaning. Noted dried food splatter on walls, cooling units, exterior surfaces of equipment, shelving units, inside and alongside frying and grill equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Observed outside grease receptacle in need of cleaning. Noted grease build up on surfaces of said receptacle. Instructed to clean and maintain

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed floors throughout 1st floor prep/basement prep behind all prep tables, cooling units and heavy grill/frying equipment and inside floor drains in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove all food debris, organic matter and maintain.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed items stored improperly on basement floors throughout storage spaces. Insturcted to organize, remove unnecesary items and elevate at least 6 inches off floor in order to prevent hiding space for pest. Must maintain premise.

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Observed all vents in ceiling 1st floor prep area as well as ventilation hood with accumulated dust and dirt debris. Instucted to clean and maintain

City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate

Observed facility without a valid city of Chicago food service sanitation certificate posted onsite for food employees. Informed person in charge of the city of Chicago original food service certificate must be posted along with the certified manager on site when time and temperature control for safety(tcs) foods are stored. Priority foundation violation #7-38-012. Citation issued.

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

Observed no dates on shellfish tags must provide the date on all shellfish tags, when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served; and store all shellfish tags in chronological order for at least 90 days from the sale date. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005. Citation issued.

Personal cleanliness

Observed food handlers prepping food without hair restraints. Instructed person in charge that all food handlers must wear a hair restraint.pic in charge gave hats to food handlers.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed milk crates being used as shelving throughout the prep and storage areas. Must remove and provide shelving that is 6" off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips

Observed no irreversible test strips/testing device on site to adequately ensure the utensil surface temperature (160°f) after the final rinse for high-temp dish machine. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005.

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Observed floor drains at all bars and dish area encrusted with food debris and mold like substance, nstructed manager to increase cleaning frequency also clean and maintain all floor drains

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Observed a hanging light shield in the liquor walk in cooler. Instructed to repair and maintain at all times.

Previous core violation corrected

Noted continued non-compliance from report #2607561 conducted on 11/18/2024 previous core violations not corrected: (#36)4-204.112(b) observed water temperature measuring device instrument gauges at the kitchen area dish machine to be soiled with debris and not easily-readable. Instructed to clean instrument gauges at dish machine and maintain water temperature measuring device instrument gauges easily-readable at alltimes. (47)4-501.11: observed line cooler lids on both prep coolers at the main kitchen line in poor repair, lid latches damaged and partially missing gaskets along edges. Instructed to repair or replace line cooler lids for all prep coolers in the main kitchen line and maintain all equipment in good repair and proper adjustment. (#54)5-501.116: observed build up of grease and debris on exterior of outdoor grease disposal receptacle. Instructed to clean exterior of outdoor waste receptacles at adequate frequency to prevent build up of soils and prevent attraction of insects and rodents and maintain. Must correct core violations by the date on the report. Priority foundation violation #7-42-090. Citation issued.

Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible

Observed shared meadowlark/lardon individual restrooms missing signage notifying food employees to wash hands. Instructed to provide adequate handwashing signage at all handwashing sinks and maintain at all times.

Thermometers provided & accurate

Observed prep and reach-in coolers throughout main kitchen area and basement pastry kitchen area missing internal ambient air thermometers. Instructed to provide at least one internal ambient air thermometer in a conspicuous and easily-viewable location in all equipment used to cold-hold tcs food items and maintain at all times.

Thermometers provided & accurate

Observed water temperature measuring device instrument gauges at the kitchen area dish machine to be soiled with debris and not easily-readable. Instructed to clean instrument gauges at dish machine and maintain water temperature measuring device instrument gauges easily-readable at alltimes.

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Observed line cooler lids on both prep coolers at the main kitchen line in poor repair, lid latches damaged and partially missing gaskets along edges. Instructed to repair or replace line cooler lids for all prep coolers in the main kitchen line and maintain all equipment in good repair and proper adjustment.

Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained

Observed build up of grease and debris on exterior of outdoor grease disposal receptacle. Instructed to clean exterior of outdoor waste receptacles at adequate frequency to prevent build up of soils and prevent attraction of insects and rodents and maintain.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Observed 1/4 inch gap at rear exit door sweep. Must rodent proof said door.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Observed accumulted dust build up on prep area coolers condensers and food spill inside prep area cooler (under grill). Must clean equipment and maintain.

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Observed ice build on juice reach in 2-door cooler condenser at basement. Must remove ice build up inside said cooler and maintain.

Allergen training as required

Observed one food manager without food allergen training certificate. Instructed all city of Chicago certified food managers must have food allergen training certificate.

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Observed 1/4 inch gap at 2202 n california door sweep and at southwest exit door. Must rodent proof doors/make tight fitted.