CAFE EL TAPATIO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED HANDWASHING SINK AT NORTH DISH ROOM NOT ACCESSIBLE WITH A PREP TABLE IN FRONT SAID SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER THAT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASH SINKS AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: NOTED INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF THE FOLLOWING TCS FOOD ITEMS INSIDE SERVICE COOLERS TO BE IMPROPER:-TOMATOES 57.2F, BEEF 46.8F, SHRIMP 49.7F, POBLANOS (GREEN PEPPERS) 49.3F, CUT VEGETABLES 49.6F, CHORIZO 113F.THE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 10 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $58.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: NOTED THE FOLLOWING PREPARED TCS FOODS THROUGHOUT THE COOKS LINE COOLERS, REFRIGERATION UNIT, AND WALK-IN COOLER NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED. NO EXPIRATION DATES ARE NOTED. ROAST BEEF, CORNED BEEF, COOKED CHICKEN, VEGETABLES, AND RICE. THE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF 10 LBS OF PRODUCTS WORTH $140.00 THROUGH DENATURING PROCESS. INSTRUCTED ALL PREPARED TCS FOODS HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NOTED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNIT CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE REFRIGERATION UNITS NOT PROPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL FOOD ITEMS WITH PRODUCT NAME INCLUDING BULK FOOD CONTAINERS.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: NOTED MISSING LIDS AT THE ICE BINS AT THE BAR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ICE BIN COVER.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: NOTED INDIVIDUAL TO-GO DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS (CUP) WITH NO HANDLE USED FOR SCOOPING SERVING FOOD AT THE SERVICE PREP COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TONGS, SERVING SPOONS, OR LADLE FOR SCOOPING FOOD.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: FOOD CONTAINERS ARE STORED ON THE FLOOR IN STORAGE AND WALK-IN COOLERS. MUST PROVIDE PROPER, RAISED SHELVING TO STORE FOOD CONTAINERS 6" OFF THE FLOOR.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: NOTED DIRTY WIPING CLOTHS ON PREP TABLES AT FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS. NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL WASHCLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION, ESPECIALLY WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: NOTED SERVING PLATES ON SHELVES AT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SERVING PLATES TO PREVENT DUST ACCUMULATION.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED HEAVY LEAKAGE AT THE BOTTOM PIPE OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: NOTED WASTEWATER BACKING UP WITH DIRT, GREASE, AND FOOD PARTICLES INTO THE COMPARTMENT SINK AND FLOOR DRAIN WHEN WATER IS FILLED INTO ONE OF THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS. PLUMBER ON-SITE VIOLATION CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: NOTED WASH ROOMS ON PREMISE WITH GARBAGE RECEPTACLES AND NO LIDS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TRASH CANS WITH LIDS AT ALL WOMEN WASH ROOMS AND UNISEX WASH ROOMS

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED MULTIPLE CRACKS THROUGH OUT THE FLOOR OF THE KITCHEN PREP AREA AT THE FIRST FLOOR AND DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. NOTED STANDING WATER UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS AT THE KITCHEN AND DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DRY FLOORS. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQPUIPMENT THROUGH OUT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. NOTED HOLE WITH LEAKAGE ON CEILING AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED MULTIPLE CRACKS THROUGH OUT THE FLOOR OF THE KITCHEN PREP AREA AT THE FIRST FLOOR AND DINING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. NOTED STANDING WATER UNDERNEATH THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS AT THE KITCHEN AND DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DRY FLOORS. MUST ALSO DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG WALL BASE AND UNDERNEATH EQPUIPMENT THROUGH OUT THE KITCHEN PREP AREA. NOTED HOLE WITH LEAKAGE ON CEILING AT THE BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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.