EL POLLO REAL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FOUND REACH IN COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA NOT AT PROPER TEMPERATURE. REACH IN COOLER AIR TEMPERATURE IS AT 52.5 DEGREES AIR TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COOLER IS BEING TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. COOLER MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL CORRECTED AND REINSPECTED BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD PRODUCTES WERE FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE: RAW MARINATED CHICKENS 48.3 DEGREES 10 LBS, 2 DIFFERANT TYPES OF COOKED SALSA 52.7 DEGREES 20 LBS, AND CONTAINER OF COOKED BEANS 90.2 DEGREES 10 LBS. ALL PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION. TOTAL VALUE $100.00 40 LBS. 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: REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT OR INSECT PROOFED. 1/4 IN GAP AT BOTTOM AND SIDES OF THE DOOR. ALL OUTER OPENINGS MUST BE TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN. 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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM JULY 5, 2016 REPORT #1938022 #38 OBSERVED VEGETABLES BEING PREPPED ON A LONG METAL PREP TABLE IN REAR AREA WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RE-LOCATE MOP SINK AND INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH SPLASH GUARD ON SIDE NEXT TO PREP TABLE. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090

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.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM JULY 5, 2016 REPORT #1938022 #38 OBSERVED VEGETABLES BEING PREPPED ON A LONG METAL PREP TABLE IN REAR AREA WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO RE-LOCATE MOP SINK AND INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH SPLASH GUARD ON SIDE NEXT TO PREP TABLE. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090

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.