EL BARCO RESTAURANT Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: Facilities not maintaining proper temperature. Internal temperature of prep cooler at 47.0 F to 48.2 F while storing potentially hazardous foods. Instructed that coolers must maintain 40 F or below. "Held for Inspection" tag placed on cooler. Critical citation issued 7-38-005(A).

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: Potentially hazardous foods does not meet temperature requirement during storage, preparation, display and service. Found the following foods in cooler stated above. 10 lbs-Langostinos@ 49.4 F, 3 lbs-Shrimp@ 49.2 F-49.4 F, 2 lbs-Catfish@ 46.9 F, 10 lbs-Mahi-Mahi Fish@ 48.7 F, 1 lb-Cooked Chicken@ 49.9 F, 2 lbs-Ceviche Shrimp@ 50.0 F, 3 lbs-Ceviche Octopus@ 50.4 F, 2 lbs-Ceviche Fish@ 50.6 F, 1 lb-Octopus@ 50.9 F, 1 lb-Raw Oysters@ 49.8 F, 3 lbs-Guacamole@ 49.5 F and 1 lb-Sour Cream@ 46.0 F. Instructed manager that potentially hazardous foods must maintain 40 F or below. Manager voluntarily discarded and denatured foods, value $333, 40 lbs. Critical citation issued 7-38-005(A).

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.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: Multi use utensil not properly stored. Instructed to invert utensils to prevent contamination before use.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Ice bin not provided with cover in bar area. Instructed to provide cover for stored ice. Filters missing from exhaust hood in prep area. Instructed to replace missing filters.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: Deep fryer cabinet, grill,and utensils not cleaned. Instructed to detail clean and sanitize.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: Floor not maintained in prep area. Instructed to replace any missing floor tile.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: Ceiling in bar has peeling paint. Instructed to remove peeling paint and repaint celing. Exposed overhead waterline has condensation build-up and dripping. Instructed to insulate waterlines.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: Light bulb inside walk-in cooler not shielded. Instructed to shield bulb or install shatter-proof bulb.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Drainline under 3 compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak. Waste drainlines not installed at bar for soda dispenser holder. Intructed to install drainlines. Three compartment sink slow draining. Instructed to repair build-in sink stoppers to adequately open and drain water in each compartment.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Drainline under 3 compartment sink leaking. Instructed to repair to prevent leak. Waste drainlines not installed at bar for soda dispenser holder. Intructed to install drainlines. Three compartment sink slow draining. Instructed to repair build-in sink stoppers to adequately open and drain water in each compartment.

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.