Palatine’s Pops reopens after correcting health violations

Pops Bar and Grill in downtown Palatine reopened Friday morning after officials with the village’s Environmental Health Division shuttered it due to several code violations. A surprise inspection at 2:40 p.m. Thursday revealed problems including a fruit fly infestation, moldy food, a malfunctioning cooler and food stored at potentially hazardous temperatures, Field Director Diane Gartner said. Pops, located at 19 N. Bothwell St., received an inspection score of 68. A minimum of 70 points is required to operate, so the bar’s food dealer permit was suspended. The village doesn’t allow an establishment to serve alcohol without food service. When a second inspection was done at 10:30 a.m. Friday, the critical violations had been corrected. Gartner said the village will continue to follow up with Pops, and conduct another routine surprise inspection within the next four months. Pops had received a score of 81 in its most recent inspection.