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Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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News Wed Jul 25 2007

When they reach 200...

200 was the number when the city's health inspectors stop counting the fruit flies that infest the State Street Macy's food court. According to the Consumerist and Chicago Tribune, the city health inspectors shut down the lower-level food court of the Macy's State Street on Monday, following a recent inspection after a customer complained that s/he became sick from their pre-packaged salad.

Apparently the Macy's employees didn't find it problematic when:

a) fruit flies flew around freely
b) a sink leaked
c) a floor drain clogged up, sending the waste water backward (i.e., up to the kitchen floor)
d) grease and bits of food covered the area around the inside trash bin

As of Tuesday, the food court was still closed. It's sort of pathetic that a name-brand department store gets its food court shut down; after all, it's not a neighborhood burrito place of questionable repute.

 
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anonymous / July 26, 2007 6:47 PM

so, neighborhood burrito places are held to a lesser degree of cleanliness than mall food courts?

Can you name one dining establishment in this city that you have not seen any fly activity, inside or out by the patio?

do you know the many ways fruit flys can enter a dining establishment this time of year (including customers!)?
before passing judgement on this one out of many places that has experienced nothing except a normal chicago summer, ask yourself these above questions and look at the place where you prepare food.
now ask yourself where you go out to eat and be realistic about the expectations you have about the cleanliness of the 4 star places to the burrito houses.
also, grow up, wash your own hands, stop blaming others for your tummy aches and realize each place you eat out, you are putting your self into someone else's hands

Yu / July 27, 2007 8:21 AM

This is what's on my mind.

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Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

The State of Food Writing

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »

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About Drive-Thru

Drive-Thru is the food and drink section of Gapers Block, covering the city's vibrant dining, drinking and cooking scene. More...
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Editor: Robyn Nisi, rn@gapersblock.com
Drive-Thru staff inbox: drivethru@gapersblock.com

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