EL MILAGRO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: 3-DOOR REFRIGERATED PREP COOLER NEAR GRILL IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINING ADEQUATE TEMPERATURE, AIR TEMP IN THE TOP HOLDING COMPARTMENT WAS 50F, AND AIR TEMP IN BOTTOM SECTION WAS 46.8F. ALSO FOUND REFRIGERATED DISPLAY UNIT ON SERVICE LINE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 47.9F. BOTH UNITS MUST BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING INTERNAL AIR TEMPS OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL PRODUCTS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAGS ALSO PLACED ON BOTH UNITS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 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: STEAK-46.7F, CUT CABBAGE-46.1F, 49.2F, AND 45.1F. CUT LETTUCE-44.5F, 48.1F, 46.1F. CUT TOMATOES-48.1F, 46.2F. SOUR CREAM-46.6F. ALSO FOUND LETTUCE AND COOKED FISH IN DRAINING PANS INSIDE LARGER PANS ON COLD HOLDING AND HOT HOLDING UNITS AT 46.1F AND 90.1F. ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FODDS STORED UNDER REFRIGERATION MUST BE HELD AT 40 DEGREES OR BELOW, AND HOT FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 140 DEGREES OR ABOVE(INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM USING DOUBLE PANS IN BOTH OF THESE UNITS. ALL FOOD ITEMS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES WERE DISCARDED(30LB VALUED $100). CRITICAL VIOLATION 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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: IMPROPER PEST CONTROL NOTED ON PREMISES. 30 MICE DROPPINGS OBSERVED ON FLOOR IN 2ND FLOOR STORE ROOM ON EAST AND WEST WALLS NEAR CLUTTERED AREAS. MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER FROM THIS AREA, PROPERLY STORE ALL ARTICLES 6 INCHES OFF THE FLOORS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, AND SEAL UP ANY OPENINGS FOUND IN FLOORS ,WALLS, AND CEILINGS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

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: IMPROPER HANDLING OF GARBAGE NOTED IN REAR OUTSIDE GARBAGE AREA. 3 OUT OF THE 4 DUMPSTERS IN THIS AREA WERE OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH ABOVE THE RIMS OF THE RECEPTACLES. ALL LIDS MUST BE KEPT CLOSED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020.

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: ALL SINGLE-SERVICE UTENSILS(FORKS, SPOONS, KNIVES) MUST BE PROPERLY STORED INVERTED(HANDLES UP OR OUT) IN STORAGE CONTAINERS.

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 THE CAN OPENER AND HOLSTER, AND THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN MAIN HOT FOOD KITCHEN PREP AREA.

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: LARGE CRACK IN FLOOR TILE NOTICED NEAR REAR EXIT DOOR, MUST REPAIR. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS ALONG THE BASES OF THE WALLS IN 2ND FLOOR STORAGE AREA, AND IN SMALL STORAGE AREA ON FIRST FLOOR WHERE LARGE BAGS OF SALT ARE STORED.

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 DEBRIS, DIRT, AND DUST BUILD-UP FROM ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT. CLEAN DUST BUILD-UP FROM ALL CEILING AND EXHAUST VENTS THROUGHOUT WHERE PRESENT.

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: REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS IN RETAIL FOOD PREP/SERVICE AREA WHERE GROUND TORTILLA MIXTURE IDS BAGGED UP AND SOLD.

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: REPAIR LEAKY FAUCETS AT 3 COMARTMENT SINK IN FRONT HOT FOOD PREP AREA, AND AT 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN HOT FOOD KITCHEN PREP 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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: PROVIDE LONG STEM METAL THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOKS IN ALL FOOD PREP AREAS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: PROVIDE LONG STEM METAL THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOKS IN ALL FOOD PREP AREAS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.