BUENA VISTA RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 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 CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED SUCH AS COOKED BEEF AT 179.1 IN A HOT HOLDING UNIT. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION NO CITATION ISSUED.

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: NO WRITTEN CLEANING PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMIT/DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOK PREPARING AND HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS SUCH AS WRAPPING UP A PREPARED, FILLED BURRITO WITH HIS BARE HANDS. REVIEWED WITH COOK THAT UTENSILS MUST BE USED OR GLOVES MUST BE WORN WHILE TOUCHING, PREPARING, OR HANDLING ANY READY TO EAT FOODS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED NO HAND WASH SINK IN THE PREP AREA. HAND WASHING SINK IS LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY NOT ACCESSIBLE TO THE COOKS LINE/FOOD PREP AREA. AN ADDITIONAL HAND WASH SINK IS NEEDED FOR THE FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED PREPARED READY TO EAT TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE. FOODS NOTED WITH PREP DATES ONLY SUCH AS COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED BEEF AND COOKED RICE. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS PREPARED READY TO EAT FOODS MUST BE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN DAYS. FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MENU ITEM SUCH AS HUEVOS RANCHEROS WITH EGGS OVER-EASY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE MENU THAT INFORMS, DISCLOSES AND REMINDS CUSTOMERS OF SUCH ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD AND SPICE CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: RAW WOODEN SHELVING USED FOR CLEAN GLASSWARE. MUST PAINT/SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: DAMAGED CEILING TILE IN THE HALLWAY ABOVE THE COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

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: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES.

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.