CASA MARGARITA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE BETWEEN 12:15PM AND 12:40PM. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A PERSON IN CHARGE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A PERSON IN CHARGE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS AND PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASH SINK IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO WALK IN COOLER AND IN FRONT BAR NEAR POS REGISTER NOT PROPERLY SUPPLIED WITH HAND SOAP. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN HAND SOAP AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY SUPPLIES AT ALL HAND WASH SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT 2 HAND WASH SINKS IN REAR KITCHEN PREP AREA AND AT 1 HAND WASH SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN HAND WASHING SIGNAGE.

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: OBSERVED PARTIALLY COOKED TOMATOES IN A LARGE POT WITH OTHER INGREDIENTS BEING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 50.4-60.2F AND HAMBURGERS BEING HELD AT THE IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 44.8. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 20 LBS OF PRODUCT VALUED AT $75. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F. 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 TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS SUCH AS GUACAMOLE, SALSA, AND QUESO IN WALK IN COOLER AND THROUGHOUT KITCHEN PREP COOLERS WITHOUT PROPER DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED ALL TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS MUST BE LABELED WITH THE 7 DAY DISPOSAL DATE. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED CEVICHE AND COOKED TO ORDER HAMBURGERS ON MENU WITHOUT DISCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED ALL POTENTIALLY UNDER COOKED ITEMS MUST CONTAIN DISCLOSURE THAT LINKS TO REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENU. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE ON SITE AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE READILY ACCESSIBLE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLERS THROUGHOUT REAR KITCHEN AREA.

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: OBSERVED TORN GASKET ON INSIDE DOOR OF TALL STANDING COOLER IN REAR KITCHEN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED MATERIAL RESEMBLING PINK FOAM WALL INSULATION BEING USED AS A SHELF ON PREP TABLE IN REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN ONLY FOOD GRADE ITEMS IN KITCHEN PREP AREA.

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: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN REAR KITCHEN PREP AREA WITH BLACK, CURLED UP EDGES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE CUTTING SURFACES.

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 CHLORINE TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR MEASURING SANITIZING SOLUTION CONCENTRATION IN LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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 BOTH HAND WASH SINKS IN REAR KITCHEN PREP AREA NOT MOUNTED SECURELY TO WALL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL SINKS IN WORKING ORDER.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASH SINK IN REAR KITCHEN NEAR EXIT DOOR LEAKING FROM WATER PIPE BELOW WASH BASIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL HAND WASH SINKS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER PRESSURE AND ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR HAND WASHING.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR THE NUMBER OF STAFF WORKING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST HAVE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES MAINTAINED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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 INADEQUATE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR THE NUMBER OF STAFF WORKING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST HAVE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES MAINTAINED ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

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.