EL TACONAZO JR. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED ON FOOD PREP TABLE IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA SUCH AS 25 LBS IF COOKED BEEF AT 83.8F AND 20 LBS OF COOKED CORN RICE AT 97.9F. MANAGER DISCARDED SAID FOOD AND STATED TOTAL COST OF FOOD IS $150.00. INSTRUCTED TO COOL DOWN COOKED FOODS RAPIDLY FROM 140F TO 40 F WITHIN 6 HOURS AND MAINTAIN IN COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 40 F OR BELOW OR HOT HOLDING FOODS AT 140 F OR ABOVE. 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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED WORN CUTTING BOARD WITH DARK GROOVE IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA BY THE EXPOSED HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON FAN GUARD INSIDE WALK-IN FREEZER AND COOLER IN STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON SHELVES INSIDE 2-DOOR COOLER DOOR LOCATED AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED GREASE BUILD UP ON SHELF ABOVE REACH-IN COOLER IN FRONT COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT SHIELD INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER IN STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN SPLASH GUARD AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINK NEXT TO CUTTING BOARD AT FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED MISSING THERMOMETERS FROM COOLERS LOCATED AT FRONT DINING AREA, 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA AND BROKEN THERMOMETER IN WALK-IN COOLER IN STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING THERMOMETERS FROM COOLERS LOCATED AT FRONT DINING AREA, 2-DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA AND BROKEN THERMOMETER IN WALK-IN COOLER IN STORAGE ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.