EL GRECO'S BURRITOS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 47.7-65.3F. OBSERVED COLD TCS FOODS, BEEF(65.3F), CHICKEN(47.7-63.7F), REFRIED BEANS(47.8-62.8F) AND PORK(60.1F) HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD VALUED AT $150 WEIGHING 80LBS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED TWO COLD HOLDING UNITS IN FACILITY AT IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 55.5-70.0F. OBSERVED IMPROPER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES RANGING BETWEEN 55.5-70.0F FOR TWO SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNITS IN REAR PREP AREA ACROSS FROM COOKLINE AND ACROSS FROM THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT 41F OR BELOW. CORRECTED ON SITE HELD FOR INSPECTION TAGS PLACED ON TWO SMALL TWO DOOR COLD HOLDING UNITS IN REAR PREP AREA ACROSS FROM COOKLINE AND ACROSS FROM THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 15 SMALL FLIES AND 2 LARGE FLIES IN FACILITY. OBSERVED FLY ACTIVITY IN SUCH AREAS AS HALLWAY LEADING TO PREP AREA, DINING ROOM AND BASEMENT STORAGE AREA NEAR CHEST FREEZERS. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL AND LARGE FLY ACTIVITY IN FACILITY AND CLEAN AFFECTED AREAS, RECOMMENDED LICENSED PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 9/30/2025. 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED BUG LIGHT INSTALLED ABOVE PREP TABLE NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE BUG LIGHT FROM ABOVE PREP TABLE NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD AND PREP AREA.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: UNABLE TO VERIFY EXISTENCE OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK IN FIRST FLOOR CLOSET.INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK SO THAT IT SHALL BE LOCATED SO THAT IT MAY BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS FLOOR COVERING UNDERNEATH FLOOR MATS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM FLOOR UNDERNEATH FLOOR MATS. INSTRUCTED FLOOR COVERINGS SHALL BE DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND INSTALLED TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILIY CLEANABLE.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS OF CLOSET WITH UTILITY SINK. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH AND IN BETWEEN COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN CLOSET WITH UTILITY SINK AND TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH AND IN BETWEEN COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED BUILDUP ON FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS OF CLOSET WITH UTILITY SINK. OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS IN ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH AND IN BETWEEN COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS, ALONG BASES OF WALL AND IN CORNERS IN CLOSET WITH UTILITY SINK AND TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDERNEATH AND IN BETWEEN COOKING EQUIPMENT IN FRONT PREP AREA.

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.