CASA MARGARITA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MANAGER ON SITE WHILE HANDLING AND SERVICENG TCS FOODS ( CHICKEN, BEANS...) INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN, PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012.

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.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS SLICING LIMES FOR BAR DRINKS WITH BARE HANDS, INSTRUCTED NOT TO HANDLE READY-TO-EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HAND DRYING DEVICES/PAPER TOWELS AT MAIN KITCHEN HAND WASH SINK, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 8-38-030(C).

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 THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS HELD IN WALK-IN COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. 20 LBS OF COOKED RICE AT 52.4, 15 LBS OF COOKED BEEF AT 54.4, 40 LBS OF COOKED SALSA AT 57.4F, 6 GALLONS OF MILK AT 52.5F AND 15 LBS OF COOKED BEANS AT 55.4F, ALL FOODS HELD IN WALK-IN COOLER FROM A DAY BEFORE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO KEEP SUCH FOODS HELD AT 41F OR LOWER, FOOD ITEMS DISCARDED VALUED AT $200.

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 COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: FOUND WALK-IN COOLER TEMPERATURE AT 54.5F WHERE PERISHABLES AND TCS FOOD ARE STORED, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP ALL COOLERS TEMPERATURE AT 41F OR LOWER. COOLER IS TAGGED NOT ALLOWED TO USE. MUST CONTACT THE OFFICE OF CDPH FOR A TAG REMOVAL REQUEST. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO CHLORINE TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR LOW TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-025.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO CHLORINE TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR LOW TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE, INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION, 7-38-025.

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.