EL PUEBLITO MEXICAN GRILL Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14 (A) FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 (a) NO 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: 2-501.11 FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: 3-501.17 INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND (EXPIRY) DATE READY TO EAT TCS FOODS STORED IN ALL COOLERS (7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE).

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: 3-603.11 FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY OR DISCLOSURE POSTED AND ON MENUS FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-101.19 INSTRUCTED TO REPAINT RUSTY METAL SHELF UNDERNEATH STEAM TABLE IN FRONT PREP/COOKING AREA.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-501.11 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE TORN RUBBER GASKET AROUND 2 DOOR REACH IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-204.12 FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE AND COFFEE MACHINE IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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: 6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN WALLS WITH SPILLAGE AROUND REAR PREP AREA AND WALLS BETWEEN ICE MACHINE AND PREP COOLER.

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: 6-501.11 INSTRUCTED TO REGROUT FLOOR TILES WITH DEEP SEAMS IN FRONT OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE MISSING FLOOR TILES OR LEVEL UNDER HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP/COOKING AREA TO PREVENT STANDING WATER.

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: 6-201.13 INSTRUCTED TO SEAL UNSEALED FLOOR BASEBOARD IN FRONT PREP/COOKING 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: 6-201.11 INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS ALONG THE WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN REAR PREP AREA, UNDER AND AROUND 3 COMPARTMENT, UNDER AND AROUND HOT WATER TANK AND FLOORS IN REAR BY MOPSINK. MUST BE KEPT DRY AT ALL TIMES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.

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: 6-501.16 CLEANING EQUIPMENT (MOPS, BROOMS ETC) MUST BE STORED OFF THE FLOOR.

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: 6-201.16 INSTRUCTED TO SEAL BIG HOLE ON WALL UNDERNEATH HANDSINK INFRONT PREP/COOKING 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING AND INOPERABLE LIGHT BULB INSIDE 4 DOOR AND 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-303.11 INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE MISSING AND INOPERABLE LIGHT BULB INSIDE 4 DOOR AND 2 DOOR REACH-IN COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.