EL AZTECA Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED HAND DRYING PROVISIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.CORRECTED ON SITE PAPER TOWELS PROVIDED FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HANDWASHING SINK IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED SOAP SHALL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. CORRECTED ON SITE SOAP PROVIDED FOR HANDWASHING SINK IN BASEMENT WASHROOM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CONSOLIDATED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO VISIBLE THERMOMETER IN COLD HOLDING UNITS, IN WALK IN COOLERS AND ONE DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VISIBLE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OPENING ON SIDE OF REAR EXIT 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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SCOOP ON SURFACE OF SUGAR IN CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN USE UTENSILS WITH HANDLES ABOVE THE TOP OF FOOD AND CONTAINER IN BETWEEN USES.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED POTS NOT INVERTED DURING STORAGE. INSTRUCTED DURING STORAGE ALL POTS AND PANS SHALL BE INVERTED DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CAN OPENER TIP WITH FOOD DEBRIS ON TIP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN CAN OPENER 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 TOWELS USED AS SHELF LINER ON UNSEALED WOODEN SHELF IN FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TOWELS AS SHELF LINER NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES SHALL BE SMOOTH FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY SEAL WOODEN SHELF FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY. OBSERVED BOXES OF FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SMALL METAL GARBAGE CAN USED FOR STORING SUGAR IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINER TO STORE SUGAR.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE IN BASEMENT AND COFFEE MACHINE IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES SO THAT THEY CAN BE EASILY LOCATED AND SERVICED.

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 WASTE RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX WASHROOM IN BASEMENT.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO TOILET TISSUE AVAILABLE IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOM IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TOILET TISSUE SHALL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES IN ALL WASHROOMS. CORRECTED ON SITE TOILET TISSUE PROVIDED FOR BASEMENT WASHROOM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HOLE IN WALL IN REAR STORAGE IN AREA NEXT TO CIRCUIT BREAKER. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR HOLE IN WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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: OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENTS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENTS IN MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.