BOQUERIA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: NO PERSON IN CHARGE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (SHRIMP) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH AN ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASHING SINK AT BAR LOCATED NEXT TO ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). SEE ABOVE FOR CITATION.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINKS AT BAR AREA.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED AT BAR NEXT TO ESPRESSO MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(c). CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED NO SHELLSTOCK TAG ATTACHED TO CONTAINER IN WHICH CLAMS WERE BEING STORED. INSTRUCTED TO ATTACH SHELLSTOCK TAG TO CONTAINER UNTIL LAST ITEM IS SOLD. FOOD IS DISCARDED AND DENATURED. CLAMS WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 10 POUNDS AT A COST OF $30.00. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: Observed no Consumer Advisory for raw or undercooked foods. Instructed to identify (Disclosure) such foods by asterisking them to a foot note that states: "Items can be served raw or undercooked or contain undercooked ingredients" and add a statement (Reminder) that says: "Consuming raw or undercooked animal products may increase your risk of food borne illness, especially if you have medical conditions". PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATORS PROVIDED ON SITE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES TO ACCURATELY MEASURE THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE INSIDE HIGH TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATES ON SITE FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.