CANTINA ON MADISON Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER MUST BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 47.8-54.9F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, SLICED TOMATOES(47.8F) AND DICED TOMATOES(54.9F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $2 WEIGHING 0.5LBS. 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO ASTERISK ON MENU IDENTIFYING ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE ON MENU STATING ASTERISKED ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. INSTRUCTED TO ADD AN ASTERISK TO ALL ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS ON MENU THAT CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER AND TO ADD DISCLOSURE TO MENU STATING ANIMAL DERIVED FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK CAN BE SERVED RAW, UNDERCOOKED OR COOKED TO ORDER. 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OVER 90 RAT DROPPINGS AND OVER 30 SMALL FLIES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. OBSERVED RAT DROPPINGS IN SUCH AREAS AS BASEMENT UNDERNEATH SHELVING UNIT NEAR STORAGE ROOM WITH DOOR, BASEMENT LOCKER ROOM, STAIRCASE LEADING TO SECOND FLOOR AND SECOND FLOOR STORAGE AND UTILITY ROOMS. OBSERVED SMALL FLY ACTIVITY IN AREAS SUCH AS STORAGE ROOM IN BASEMENT WITH DOOR, NEXT TO WALK IN COOLER, BAR, SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY AND SECOND FLOOR MEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE RODENT ACTIVITY AND SMALL FLY ACTIVITY IN FACILITY, REMOVE RAT DROPPINGS AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS, RECOMMENDED LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 9/16/2025. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF PATIO ENTRANCE DOOR AND AT BASE AND LOWER CORNERS OF REVOLVING FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED BOXES STORED ON FLOOR IN LOCKER ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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: OBSERVED NO QUATERNARY AMMONIUM TEST KIT ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO COLD WATER PRESSURE AT HANDWASHING SINKS IN SECOND FLOOR MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO RESTORE COLD WATER PRESSURE TO SECOND FLOOR HANDWASHING SINK ON LEFT IN WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND ON RIGHT IN MEN'S WASHROOM.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN LARGE LEFT STALL IN SECOND FLOOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLE IN LARGE LEFT STALL IN SECOND FLOOR WOMEN'S WASHROOM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED MISSING GROUT IN BETWEEN TILES AND CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN DISHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REGROUT IN BETWEEN TILES WHERE GROUT IS MISSING AND SMOOTHLY REPAIR OR REPLACE CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN DISHROOM FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED MISSING OR DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL DAMAGED OR MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT BASEMENT 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: OBSERVED STRONG SMELL OF URINE IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM WITH DOOR IN BASEMENT NEXT TO WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SMALL STORAGE ROOM WITH DOOR IN BASEMENT NEXT TO WALK IN COOLER TO REMOVE SMELL OF URINE.

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: OBSERVED STACK OF BOXES STORED IN LOCKER ROOM ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER IN USE.

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: OBSERVED STACK OF BOXES STORED IN LOCKER ROOM ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER IN USE.

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.