EL NUEVO TACONAZO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN, BEEF, PORK, AND SOUP) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED. CFM ARRIVES AT 11:10 AM.

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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGERS TO PROVIDE A VERIFIABLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES AS THEY RELATE TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD TO THE PIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. 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.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER TOUCH READY-TO-EAT FOOD (TACOS) WITH BARE HANDS. NOTED FOOD HANDLER TOUCHED STEAK AND SHELL WITH BARE HANDS AS FOOD HANDLER MADE TACOS FOR CUSTOMERS. FOOD EMPLOYEES? MAY NOT CONTACT EXPOSED, READY-TO-EAT FOOD WITH THEIR BARE HANDS. MUST USE SUITABLE UTENSILS SUCH AS DELI TISSUE, SPATULAS, TONGS, SINGLE-USE GLOVES, OR DISPENSING EQUIPMENT. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD TACOS 6 TACOS (1 LB, COST $12) AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE EMPLOYEE/CUSTOMER TOILET ROOM. ALSO NOTED IS NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT THE HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED AT THE REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDWASHING SIGNAGE MUST BE POSTED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: FOUND AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE THROUGHOUT THE TOP INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ICE, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES LOCATED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. NOTED CHICKEN STORED IN A 40 GAL STOCK POT AT 49F AND BEEF STORED IN A 40 GAL STOCK POT AT 48F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO TRANSFER FOOD ITEMS TO SHALLOW PANS WHEN CHILLING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. 80 GAL OF SOUP DISCARDED AT $150.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: FOUND 20 MOUSE DROPPINGS IN THE RIGHT CORNER NEXT TO THE ICE MACHINE IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELIMINATE PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN SAID AREA. RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-42-090(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: FOUND 8 LARGE STOCK POTS RANGING BETWEEN 40 - 60 GALLONS IN SIZE. SAID POTS ARE TOO LARGE TO SUBMERGE IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE TO ADEQUATELY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE SAID POTS.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOUND NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOUND NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLERS.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.