Meet Chicago's Dirty Dozen, a collection of troubled eateries shut down by inspectors after posting the most critical health code violations in the city. A Chicago Sun-Times analysis of 12,000 city health inspection reports found minor cleanliness trouble can strike just about any kitchen from Subway to the Pump Room, from the Swissotel to the Chase Bank cafeteria. But the Dirty Dozen had the kind of disgusting "critical" violations that bring immediate closure and a $500 fine: rotten food, plumbing backups, rodent and insect infestation, lack of proper hand-washing facilities and inadequate cooking and cooling temperatures.
The Sun-Times found Chicago's dirtiest restaurants racked up at least 10 critical violations according to city inspection reports. Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits at 818 E. 47th tops the list, with 25 critical violations during that time.
Inspectors visited that Popeyes five times and found live roaches, mice droppings below the service counter, live "worm-like" insects in the biscuit area, blowflies, boric acid on contact surfaces, and plumbing problems. Coleslaw was discovered being stored at 48.8 degrees, which is too warm to keep bacteria from growing. The fast-food joint was shut down for about three weeks.
Similar troubles struck Joe's Bar-B-Q at 4900 W. Madison, which was closed down for having 10 critical violations. During five different inspections, officials found 30 pounds of spoiled beef, 50 pounds of cooked pork stored at 58.4 degrees and 120 pounds of chicken and perch thawing uncovered in a sink. Employees weren't washing their hands, roaches were discovered near the freezer, and wastewater from a condenser line was dripping on food, according to reports.
Kenny's For Ribs, 8601 S. Stony Island, was shut down for two days in April after inspectors found 10 critical violations, including about 200 mice droppings in food preparation areas, under the front counter and in walk-in coolers.
I.H.O.P., 4210 N. Cicero, had 11 critical violations. It was inspected after a customer found a cockroach in an apple cinnamon funnel cake. Subsequent inspections found a urine smell in a break room, leaking pipes, water dripping on food, a walk-in cooler too warm and food stored on the floor. It was closed for two weeks.
The Rest of The Dirty Dozen Include:
• Roselli's Restaurant, 6166 W. Higgins, which had trouble with rodents and insects, sources of cross contamination -- which occurs when food is contaminated by bacteria by other foods, equipment or people and sewage backups.
• Baltic Bakery, 4627 S. Hermitage, was cited for 11 critical violations. Inspectors found more than 100 mice droppings and 20 roaches in baking storage areas, a leaky roof and no hot running water. Eggs and expired low-fat buttermilk were being stored at potentially hazardous temperatures.
• The Blue Angel, 5308 N. Milwaukee, a popular Northwest Side diner where Gov. Blagojevich once staged an event, was closed for two days just before Thanksgiving last year after inspectors found 13 critical violations.
• Pizza Ribs & Things at 408 E. 103rd St. had 12 critical violations and was closed for a month in July. Problems included mice droppings, food improperly thawed, greasy, dirty equipment and employee hygiene problems.
• Vinh Phat BBQ at 4940 N. Sheridan, was found to have 12 critical violations, including rodent infestation and prepared duck and pork kept at lower than safe food temperatures. Improperly labeled prepared-food containers sold in Wisconsin were traced here by Chicago inspectors. The restaurant was closed for two weeks.
• Carrazcos at 4001 W. Ogden, had 10 critical violations including plumbing problems and hazardous food temperatures. Closed for 11 days, the restaurant is now under new management.
• The Dog Stop, 6100 W. Belmont, had 10 critical violations. Inspectors found raw ground beef kept at 47 degrees and mold in the ice machine.
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