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DON MEMO MEXICAN RESTAURANT Passes Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

DON MEMO MEXICAN RESTAURANT 10536 S TORRENCE AVE, CHICAGO 60617 Restaurant
March 5, 2025 Canvass License #2863378
12
Total Violations
1
Critical
2
Major
9
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

12
Violation #6
CRITICAL
PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED STYROFOAM CUP OF OPEN BEVERAGE ON SLICER IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE FROM SLICER AND PROVIDE CLOSED LID CONTAINERS FOR EMPLOYEE BEVERAGES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.
Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.
Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.
Violation #35
MINOR
APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED BOXES OF FROZEN MEAT IMPROPERLY THAWING IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY THAW FOOD UNDER REFRIGERATION, COLD RUNNING WATER OR PART OF COOKING PROCESS.
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.
Violation #39
MAJOR
CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.
Prevent contamination during all food handling.
Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.
Violation #40
MINOR
PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS.
Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.
Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.
Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.
Violation #41
MAJOR
WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.
Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.
Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.
Violation #45
MINOR
SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES NOT INVERTED IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.
Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.
Single-use items must be protected from contamination.
Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKETS ON TWO-DOOR REACH-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR 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.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES AT DOOR WAY LEADING TO KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
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.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS AND SPILLS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BEVERAGE MACHINES, SHELVING UNITS, COOLERS, FREEZERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANGER TO CLEAN 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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN OUTSIDE STORAGE/PATIO AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED OPENINGS ALONG WALL BASEBOARDS IN PREP AND DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR 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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED OPENINGS ALONG WALL BASEBOARDS IN PREP AND DINING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR 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.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections