CAFECITO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO PAPER TOWELS AT HAND WASH SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: MEASURED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF THE FOLLOWING FOODS FOUND IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, IN REAR PREP AREA AND FRONT PREP AREAS IN COLD HOLDING UNIT. 50LBS ROPA VIEJA MEASURED AT 49.2F AND 49.6F, 10LBS OF TUNA AT 45.3 AND 47.63F, 2 POUNDS OF RAW SHRIMP AT 45.3F AND 1LB OF COOKED EGGPLANT 46.3F. APPROXIMATELY 62 LBS OF FOOD WAS DISCARDED AT A TOTAL APPROXIMATE COST OF $375.00. 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: OBSERVED PREPARED TCS FOODS (COOKED PORK, COOKED BLACK BEANS, SLICED TOMATOES) NOT MARKED WITH A DISCARD DATE. FOOD PREPARED AND HELD IN A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE OR DAY BY WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES, SOLD, OR DISCARDED WHEN HELD AT A TEMPERATURE OF 41�F OR LESS FOR A MAXIMUM OF 7 DAYS. 15 POUNDS OF PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER AT A COST OF $150.00 PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUE

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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED SHRIMP THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY (TCS) FOOD MUST BE THAWED: UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS THE FOOD TEMPERATURE AT 41F OR LESS; COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER AT A WATER TEMPERATURE OF 70F OR BELOW AND FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THAWED PORTIONS OF READY-TO-EAT FOOD TO RISE ABOVE 41F; PART OF A COOKING PROCESS; OR USING A PROCEDURE IF A PORTION OF FROZEN READY-TO-EAT FOOD IS THAWED AND PREPARED FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO AN INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER'S ORDER.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS ARE NOT LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME OF THE FOOD.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS' FOOD STORED INSIDE GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED PROPERLY TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. INSTRUCTEDTO REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FOOD DEBRIS LOCATED ON ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY BEHIND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT MUST CLEAN 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: NOTED HEAVY DIRT AND GREASE ACCUMULATION ON NEXT TO DEEP FRYER AND HOOD SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN HOOD AND FILTERS.

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: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING BY THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.

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: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING CERTIFICATION FROM EMPLOYEE. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL EMPLOYEE MUST COMPLY WITH FOOD HANDLER'S TRAINING BY THE FOOD HANDLING REGULATION ENFORCEMENT ACT.

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.