EL BARCO RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED DICED TOMATOES STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE 56.8F ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD ALL COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A 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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE OBSERVED PITCHER, CUPS AND METAL CONTAINER STORED INSIDE SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL ITEMS INSIDE SINK. EXPOSED HAND SINK IS FOR HAND WASHING ONLY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED LIVE ROACH CRAWLING ON FLOOR IN DISH WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED, 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM OF DOOR. SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020 CITATION ISSUED.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

OUTSIDE GARBAGE WASTE GREASE AND STORAGE AREA; CLEAN, RODENT PROOF, ALL CONTAINERS COVERED - Comments: OBSERVED GREASE SPILLS ON GREASE CONTAINER AND GROUND AROUND CONTAINER. LIDS NOT TIGHT-FITTING ON GARBAGE DUMPSTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN OUTSIDE GARBAGE AND WASTE GREASE AREAS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020 CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors.

Exterior waste areas must be clean and pest-proof.

Dumpsters on cleanable pad; Tight-fitting lids; Area kept clean; Grease containers covered; Regular pickup; No overflow.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: REMOVE KNIVES BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK, RE-WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AND PROPERLY STORE IN SANITARY MANNER.

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 EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, SINKS, COOLERS, PREP TABLES, ICE MACHINE.

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: GROUT LOOSE FLOOR TILES IN REAR PREP AREA. REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN ALL AREAS. CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND DISH WASHING AREAS. REMOVE EXCESS WATER OFF FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER.

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: CLEAN LIGHT SHIELDS IN REAR PREP AREA AND CEILING IN WALK-IN COOLER (DUST BUILDUP).

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPAIR LEAKING FAUCET AND HANDLE ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN PREP AREA. REPAIR LEAK UNDER DESSERT COOLER IN BAR AREA.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: REMOVE ALL COCKTAIL MIX OFF FLOOR IN BAR AREA AND PEPPERS IN PREP AREA. ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN PREP, WALK-IN COOLER, STORAGE AND BAR AREAS. STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: REMOVE ALL COCKTAIL MIX OFF FLOOR IN BAR AREA AND PEPPERS IN PREP AREA. ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN PREP, WALK-IN COOLER, STORAGE AND BAR AREAS. STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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.