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

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. MANAGER PROVIDED PAPER TOWELS DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C).CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS OR POSTERS NEAR HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT AND REAR PRE AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAINED.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: INSIDE 2-DOOR FRONT PREP COOLER OBSERVED PREPARED AND READY TO EAT TCS FOODS SUCH AS COOKED CHICKEN, COOKED BEEF, BEANS, AND RICE NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. FOUND NO DATES AT ALL. FOODS DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 30 LBS VALUE OF 200 DOLLARS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST PROPERLY LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAITS AT ALL TIMES FOODIS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHHS STORED ON TOP OF PREP TABLES IN REAR FOOD PREPARATION AREAS. MUST PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE. MUST PROPERLY STORE ICE SCOOPS IN A CLEAN CONTAINER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED BOWLS STORED AS A SCOOP INSIDE OF A BUCKET OF COOKED RICE IN REAR 2-DOOR PREP COOLER. MUST USE UTENSILS WITH A HANDLE TO SCOOP OUT FOOD SO THAT THE FOOD IS NOT CONTAMINATED BY HAND CONTACT.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED A LEAKY FAUCET BASE AT THE REAR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REMOVED CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR IN THE FOOD PREPARATION AREAS AND INSIDE WALK-IN 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: OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE BUILD UP ON FLOOR UNDER AROUND AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAITAIN.

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: MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE UTILITY MOP SINK ROOM AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREA AND REMOVED UNNECESSARY ITEMS TO PREVENT RODENT 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: OBSERVED DIRT AND GREASE ON WALLS IN FOOD PREPARATION AREAS MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MUST SEAL OPENINGS INTO WALLS IN REAR OF MAIN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. OBSERVED PEELING PAINT ON WALL INSIDE MEN'S WASHROOM. MUST REPAINT AD MAINTAIN.

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: EMPLOYEES MUST NOT STORE PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN FOOD PREP OR FOOD STORAGE AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A DESIGNATED EMPLOYEE STORAGE AREA FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

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: OBSERVED EXESSIVE DUST BUILD UP ON CEILING VENTILATION VENTS IN ALL WASHROOMS. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE 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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOOD HANDLERS REQUIREMENTS NOT MET NO LOGS RECORDS ON SITE AS REQUIRED. MUST PROVIDE 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.