CAFE CON LECHE BUCKTOWN, INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: All food establishments that prepare, sell, or store hot food shall have adequate hot food storage facilities. FACILITY TO MAINT AIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. FOUND WALK IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 52.0F AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A)CRITICAL.INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE SAID COOLER REPAIR TO MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW OWNER WENT AND BROUGHT DRY ICE AND TECHNICIAN ON PREMISES WHO STARTED WORKING ON THE COOLER AND THE DRY ICE BROUGHT COOLER TEMPERATURE DOWN TO 40F.CDI.

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.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: All food should be properly protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation. FOUND PREPARED AND READY TO EAT FOODS AT FOOD PREP AREAS AT FRONT AND REAR,CHICKEN,SALADS,RICE,ETC NOT PROTECTED DURING PREPARATION,SERVICE,DISPLAY, AND STORAGE.OBSERVED HOUSE FLIES PESTRING ON THE FOODS AS THEY WERE LEFT OPEN,ALL THE DOORS WERE LEFT OPEN FROM FRONT TO REAR AND FLIES ARE IN THE KITCHEN,FOOD PREP AREAS, AND IN DINING.CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(a)SERIOUS INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE THE FOODS COVERED AND HAVE DOORS CLOSED TO PREVENT FLIES FROM COMING INSIDE FOOD PREP AREAS.ALSO SOME READY TO EAT FOODS ARE FOUND STORED INSIDE OR ABOVE EACH OTHER WITHOUT FIRST COVERING THEM.INSTRUCTED TO HAVE FOODS COVERED FIRST BEFORE STORING ANYTHING INSIDE OR ABOVE THEM.

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. EVIDENCE OF INSECT ACTIVITY NOTED ON PREMISES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION OBSERVED 20HOUSE FLIES IN THE DINING AND IN THE KITCHEN AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS DURING INSPECTION.MANAGER HAS ALL THE DOORS IN THE ESTABLISMENT FROM FRONT TO THE REAR OPEN WITHOUTANY KIND OF PROTECTION,TO PREVENT FLIES FROM COMING INTO FOOD PREP AREAS.CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO GET RID OF FLIES,HAVE DOORS CLOSED OR PROVIDE SCREEN ON DOORS TO STOP FLIES COMING INTO FOOD PREP AREAS.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: The area outside of the establishment used for the storage of garbage shall be clean at all times and shall not constitute a nuisance. OBSERVED OUTSIDE GARBAGE DUMPSTER CONTAINER OVER FLOWING WITH TRASHE,LID COVER NOT ABLE TO COVER CONTAINER,AND HOUSE FLIES AL-OVER THE PLACE AND COMING INTO ESTABLISHMENT.CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE GARBAGE PICKED UP PROMPTLY AND HAVE LID COVERED AT ALL TIMES,TO PREVENT BREEDING GROUND FOR INSECTS AND ATTACTION FOR RODENTS.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. MUST PROVIDE LABEL WITH DATE ON PREPARED FOOD CONTAINERS IN WALK IN COOLER.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. MUST INVERT ALL CLEANED MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLE ON SHELVING UNITS AND ELSWHERE ON FACILITY,AT ALL TIMES. MUST REMOVE KNIVES AND AND SPATULAS STORE IN BETWEEN WALL AND 3COMP SINK AND STORE PROPERLY.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. MUST REPAIR PAINT PEELING RUST ON PREP TABLE STORAGE SHELF,AND RESURFACE CUTTING BOARDS WITH STAINS AND DEEP CUTS AT REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS. MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR MISSING FILTER PIECE IN THE MIDDLE OF HOOD.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENTS AND OR UTENSILS AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS WITH STAINS AND OR DEBRIS NEEDS CLEANING AND MAINTAINING SAME AT ALL TIMES:EXPOSE HAND WASH SINKS,MOP SINK,DRIAN BOARD ON 3COMP.SINK,EXHURST T FAN COVER ON WALK-IN COOLER,AND INSIDE HOOD WALL AT MIDDLE MISSING FILTER WITH GREASE.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS DRY AT 3COMP.SINK UNDER STORAGE SHELF AND AT FRONT PREP AREA BY CHEF REACH IN COOLER WITH STANDING WATER.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES WITH GREENISH SLIMMY STUFFS GROWING ON THEM AT REAR PREP AREA AND AT REAR STORAGE ICE MACHINE AREAS.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. MUST REPLACE AND OR REPAIR MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS ABOVE FOOD PREP AREAS AND AT ICE MACHINE AREAS.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER INSIDE ALL COOLER.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER INSIDE ALL COOLER.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.