Something apparently smelled funny to a number of callers to the city’s 311 system. Here’s the complete text of a press release from the CDPH:
Corner Bakery Cafe Shut By City Health Department
Eatery in Sears Tower Found With Big Plumbing ProblemA Loop bakery/café was ordered closed this afternoon after Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) inspectors discovered critical violations of the City Health Code.
Corner Bakery Café, 233 S. Wacker, was shut down after Health Department inspectors discovered a major plumbing problem causing human waste to back up from the employee toilet into a kitchen sink and a kitchen floor drain.
The inspection was triggered by several customers who called 311 Thursday morning to complain about foul odors in the facility.
The raw sewage problem was compounded by Corner Bakery staff, who failed to clean up the sewage and instead walked through puddles of waste water, tracking it throughout the facility.
Inspectors ordered bakery staff to throw away all food that was at the food preparation table, including turkey, ham, bacon, chicken salad, cheese, tomatoes and onions.
Staff also appeared to be failing to wash their hands. The bakery was cited for a broken hand washing sink designated for food handlers.
Corner Bakery will remain closed until it has been completely cleaned up and brought back into compliance with the city’s health regulations.
The enforcement action was the 168th time in 2008 that Health Department inspectors have shut a food establishment for violations of the Chicago Health Code. In addition to being closed down, representatives of Corner Bakery Café will have to explain themselves at an administrative hearing on October 9 and pay a fine expected to total $3,250.
Chicagoans who believe that a bakery or food establishment is operating in an unsafe manner are encouraged to dial 311 and report it.