EL BARCO RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE UPON ARRIVAL WHILE TCS FOODS WERE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER IS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT BAR HAND WASHING SINK AND ONLY HANDWASHING SINK IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE SOAP IS PROVIDED TO ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. THE MANAGER PLACED SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE HAND WASHING SINK AT THE BAR AND ONLY THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE PAPER TOWELS ARE PROVIDED TO ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) ( CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH PREVIOUS VIOLATION).

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.

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED OYSTERS AND SHELLSTOCK TAGS DATED FOR THE LAST 30 DAYS ONLY. TAGS MUST BE KEPT ON SITE FOR 90 DAYS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE TAGS FOR OYSTERS ARE KEPT ON FILE FOR 90 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED DISH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING DISHES. CHLORINE CONCENTRATION FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE MEASURED AT 0 PPM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE A CHLORINE CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF AT LEAST 50 PPM. DISH MACHINE PREVIOUSLY TAGGED. TAG REMOVED WITHOUT BEING RE-INSPECTED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN ARRIVED ON SITE BEFORE THE CONCLUSION OF THE INSPECTION TO REPAIR THE DISH MACHINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED MORE THAN 15 SMALL FLIES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY, INCLUDING THE BAR AND KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN BAR NOT IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. WHEN WATER IS DRAINED FROM ONE COMPARTMENT ANOTHER COMPARTMENT FLOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK IN THE FACILITY. THE MANAGER STATED THAT THE SERVICE SINK WAS REMOVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE SERVICE SINK.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO SERVICE SINK IN THE FACILITY. THE MANAGER STATED THAT THE SERVICE SINK WAS REMOVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE SERVICE SINK.

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.