CAFECITO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (STEAK, PORK SANDWICHES) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. MANAGER FROM ANOTHER LOCATION ARRIVED DURING INSPECTION.

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 MISSING EMPLOYEE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT BAR AND REAR PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINKS. MUST PROVIDE.

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: FOUND 40 LBS OF COOKED SHREDDED BEEF STORED IN A LARGE POT IN WALK-IN COOLER FROM A DAY BEFORE AT 58.5 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO STORE TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41 F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID TCS FOOD. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY REMINDER OR DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEMS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE AND IDENTIFY WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE 2-DOOR PREP COOLER ON THE COOKS LINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATOR UNITS TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

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 & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: FOUND PART OF MEAT SLICER BROKEN AND WRAPPED IN PLASTIC WRAP. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP AND REPAIR BROKEN PART OF SLICER.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: FOUND NO IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR HOT WATER SANITIZING DISH MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE AND HAVE READILY ACCESSIBLE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: INTERIOR OF 2-DOOR PREP COOLER ON COOKS LINE HAS FOOD AND OTHER DEBRIS BUILDUP. MUST CLEAN, SANITIZE, 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED LIMESCALE AND MOLD-LIKE BUILDUP ON THE DISHMACHINE TRAYS THAT HOLD THE DISHES IN PLACE INSIDE OF THE DISHMACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN TRAYS OR REPLACE.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: FOUND LEAK AT SPRAYER ARM AND FAUCET AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: NOTED SURROUNDING AREA OF OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH A POOL OF THICK GREASE ON THE GROUND BEHIND THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN GREASE SPILL AND MAINTAIN SURROUNDING AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: NOTED SURROUNDING AREA OF OUTSIDE GREASE CONTAINER NOT MAINTAINED WITH A POOL OF THICK GREASE ON THE GROUND BEHIND THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN GREASE SPILL AND MAINTAIN SURROUNDING AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

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.