⚠️ Recent Failed Inspections ⚠️
FAIL Risk 1 (High)

EL REY DEL TACO & BURRITOS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

EL REY DEL TACO & BURRITOS 4157 S CALIFORNIA AVE, CHICAGO 60632 Restaurant
January 12, 2022 Complaint License #1893928
15
Total Violations
3
Critical
2
Major
10
Minor

Violations Cited by Chicago Health Inspector

15
Violation #3
CRITICAL
MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.
Violation #10
CRITICAL
ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED SOME HAND WASHING SINKS WITHOUT HAND WASHING SIGNS .MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #25
MINOR
CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER FOOD ADVISORY WITH DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER OF CONSUMING RAW AND UNDERCOOKED FOODS ON MENU.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(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.
Violation #37
MAJOR
FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.
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.
Violation #47
MINOR
FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED LOCK ON BASEMENT WALK IN COOLER,DAMAGED GASKET ON 1- DOOR GLASS REACH IN COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA.MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELVES OF SOME PREP TABLES AND VEGETABLE WALK IN COOLER SHELVING UNITS.
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.
Violation #49
MINOR
NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLES, FRYER CABINETS,WALK IN COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS.
Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.
All surfaces must be kept clean.
Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.
Violation #51
CRITICAL
PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW DEVICE ON ICE MACHINE.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #55
MINOR
PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REPAIR OR RPELACE GAP BETWEEN FLOOR AND WALL BASE IN REAR PREP AREA BEHIND REACH IN COOLER AND HOLE IN LOWER WALL IN BASEMENT NEAR CHEST FREEZER.
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.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: MUST REPLACE BURNTOUT LIGHT AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT 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.
Violation #56
MINOR
ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP ON FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREAS.
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.
Violation #57
MINOR
ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL OUTDATED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES. MUST UPDATE AND MAINTAIN.
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.
Violation #58
MAJOR
ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGERS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.
Food allergen training required for certified managers.
Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.
Violation #64
MINOR
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN RECORD FOLLOWING PROTOCOL FOR UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Violation #64
MINOR
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN RECORD OF FOLLOWING PROTOCOL FOR VACCINATIONS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
Violation #64
MINOR
MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN RECORD OF FOLLOWING PROTOCOL FOR VACCINATIONS.MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Health Department Information

Department Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Division Food Protection Program
Report Issues Call 311 or File Online
More Information CDPH Food Protection
Data sourced from Chicago Open Data Portal - Chicago Department of Public Health inspections