EL POLLO RANCHERO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less.OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF COOKED CHICKEN AT 46.0F-50.3F IN 2- DOOR REACH IN COOLER.NO TIME & TEMPERATURE LOGS AVAILABLE TO VIEW.MANAGER STATED CHICKEN WAS COOKED YESTERDAY 5/3/11.PRODUCT WAS DUMPED & DENATURED AT THIS TIME.APPX26LBS.$35.

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority.OBSERVED MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #176827 3/24/10.#30 MUST LABLE PREP FOODS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER.#33 MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE GRILLS,STOVE ,STORAGE SHELVES,STORAGE CABINETS,COOLERS,FRYERS,CHEST FREEZERS IN BOTH KITCHENS.#34 MUST CLEAN FLOORS UNDER,BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS THRU-OUT PREMISES AND REPLACE MISSING & BROKEN FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT.#35 MUST REPLACE DAMAGED & MISSING CEILING PANELS THRU-OUT & CLEAN HOOD & FILTERS ABOVE COOKING EQUIPMENT AT BOTH KITCHENS.#36 MUST REPLACE BROKEN LIGHT SHIELDS ABOVE STEAM TABLE IN FRONT KITCHEN.#40 MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS.MUST CORRECT & MAINTAIN.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM SHELVING UNITS IN 2-DOOR COOLER,RUST FROM EXTERIOR OF CHEST FREEZER IN REAR PREP AREA,RUST FROM ROLLING CART,REMOVE TAPE FROM HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP AREA.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE LOOSE VENTILATION VENT IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST CLEAN KNIFE CADDY,MICROWAVE,FILTERS,HOOD,HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA,UNUSED COOLERS & COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.MUST SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES LEADING INTO WALLS & CEILINGS.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING & LOOSE WALL BASES THROUGHOUT PREMISES,WORN DOOR SWEEP ON REAR EXIT DOOR.MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM WALLS THROUGHOUT.

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.

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS - Comments: Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and shall be vented to the outside air or mechanically ventilated.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN SELF CLOSING DEVICES ON BOTH TOILET ROOM DOORS.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPLACE MISSING HANDLE ON TOILET IN MEN'S TOILET ROOM.

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: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units.ALL CHEST FREEZERS .

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR WHERE NEEDED.

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: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.MUST ELEVATE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR WHERE NEEDED.

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.