Heartland Cafe reopens after failed health inspection
Posted by mgarretson89 on March 21, 2010
By Meredith Garretson
A popular Rogers Park restaurant has reopened after briefly being shuttered for health code violations, CBS-2 reports.
The Chicago Sun-Times broke the story March 13 that a recent health inspection at The Heartland Cafe reportedly found mouse feces, a moldy ice maker, and food stored at unsafe temperatures.
The health department first became aware of the problem when a customer became ill after eating at the restaurant at 7000 N. Glenwood Ave, the Sun-Times reported.
“Inspectors sent to the scene found critical violations that led to a suspension of the restaurant’s business license. Inspectors initially found mouse feces throughout the restaurant, clearly indicating a rodent infestation,” City Department of Public Health Spokesman Tim Hadac told the Sun-Times.
The restaurant, opened in 1976 at the the northwest corner of Lunt and Glenwood avenues, was closed for five days and fined $1,500.
Heartland owner Katy Hogan said she thought the inspection was fair, and that the restaurant believes protecting public health is a serious matter, CBS-2 reports.
“We completely copped to the fact that when (health inspectors) walked in, they had some situations,” Hogan told CBS-2. “I felt, like, ‘OK, then let’s tear it apart and put it back together the right way.”
Heartland employees and another 35 people, including friends, neighbors and customers gathered to give the restaurant a top-to-bottom facelift, Hogan told CBS-2.
“Our employees came through in an incredibly beautiful fashion,” Hogan said.
