⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
FAIL Risk 1 (High)

CAFE EL TAPATIO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CAFE EL TAPATIO 3400-3402 N ASHLAND AVE, CHICAGO 60657 Restaurant
July 22, 2019 Canvass License #2432567
21
Total Violations
8
Critical
6
Major
7
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

21
Violation #3
CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. 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.
Violation #5
CRITICAL
PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN AND KIT FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. 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.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO INSTALLED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: BASEMENT PREP AREA,COFFEE STATION AT FRONT AREA(BY THE BAR),ONE AT NORTH NEW DINING AREA. ALL AREA MENTIONED OPENED FOOD:ICE ,COFFEE AND WATER.MUST PROVIDE EACH SINKS WITH SOAP,AND PAPER TOWELS FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: 7-38-030(C).NO 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.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE PROVIDED ON EACH HANDWASHING SINK,MUST PROVIDED
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.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN PREP AND DISH ROOM AREA.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. MANAGER PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS FOR EACH SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION: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.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: HANDWASHING SINK AT NORTH DISH ROOM NOT ACCESSIBLE: A METAL PREP TABLE STORED IN FRONT SAID SINK,MUST REMOVE TABLE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION:7-38-030(C)"CONSOLIDATE WITH ABOVE 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.
Violation #23
CRITICAL
PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: DATE MARKING OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED. MUST PROPERLY DATE LABELED FOODS WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS ON TCS FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005. NO 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.
Violation #25
MINOR
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD (EGGS,ETC) MUST DISCLOSE AND REMIND SUCH ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-005. 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.
Violation #37
MAJOR
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: WHITE CONTAINERS WITH DRY FOOD INGREDIENT MUST BE LABELED WITH 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.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: LINENS MUST BE HELD BETWEEN USE IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION TO WIPE MULTI USE UTENSILS /CUTTING BOARDS ETC.
Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.
Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.
Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.
Violation #43
MINOR
IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: KNIVES STORED BETWEEN WALL AND PREP TABLE MUST REMOVE AND MUST PROVIDE KNIVES RACKS TO MINIMIZE SOURCE CONTAMINATION
Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.
In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.
Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST PROVIDED ICE SCOOP HOLDER FOR ALL ICE SCOOP ON SITE INCLUDED BAR AREA. MUST PROVIDE ICE BIN LIDS FOR ICE BIN DISPENSERS.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE
Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.
All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE KITCHEN WITH GREASE BUILD-UP, CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
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.
Violation #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: FOUND DISCHARGE LEAKING PIPE FROM AIR CONDITION BY THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS IN REAR PREP/DISH ROOM, MUST REPAIR. NECK FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK REAR PREP/AREA WRAPPED WITH DIRTY LINEN DUE TO LEAKING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CAUSE.
Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.
Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.
Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.
Violation #53
MAJOR
TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: NO LID PROVIDED AT RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.
Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.
Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.
Violation #54
MAJOR
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OUTSIDE BOTH RECEPTACLES LIDS NOT CLOSED DUE TO OVERFLOWING GARBAGE. LIDS MUST BE TIGHT FITTED TO CONTAINERS TO MINIMIZE FLYING INSECT ACTIVITIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-020(B)
Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.
Refuse must be properly contained and removed.
Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.
Violation #54
MAJOR
GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: ADDITIONAL FREQUENCY REMOVAL OF GARBAGE IS NEEDED DUE TO CONTAINERS OVERFLOWING
Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.
Refuse must be properly contained and removed.
Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FLOOR UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEANABLE WITH ROUGH AND UNEVEN SURFACE.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT MATERIAL.
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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING CEILING TILE IN REAR DISH ROOM/PREP AREA . REPLACE CEILING TILE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE,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.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROVIDED ON SITE,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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections