EL TACONAZO LA FIESTA INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (STEAK, RICE) WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED INADEQUATE FOOD STORAGE PRACTICES. OBSERVED RAW FISH STORED DIRECTLY OVER AN OPEN PAN OF SHREDDED CHEESE AND RAW BEEF STORED DIRECTLY ABOVE CILANTRO INSIDE THE WALK IN COOLERS. FOOD SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM CROSS CONTAMINATION BY ARRANGING ALL FOODS TO BE STORED, HELD, AND DISPLAYED IN ORDER OF MINIMUM COOKING TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED A TCS FOOD AT AN IMPROPER TEMPERATURE; FOUND A LARGE POT OF COOKED BEANS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER FROM A DAY BEFORE AT 51F. INSTRUCTED TO STORE TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS ON THE TV MENU BOARD AT THE FRONT REGISTER AREA, AND AN INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY ON THE DINE-IN MENUS (ADVISORY IS MISSING DISCLOSURE STATEMENT & ASTERISKS LINKING ADVISORY TO UNDERCOOKED ITEMS). INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS" AND ADD A STATEMENT THAT SAYS: "CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL PRODUCTS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS". PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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 PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS ON PREMISES WITHOUT A LABEL (SUGAR, SALT, ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMON NAME ON BULK CONTAINERS TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY FOOD ITEM.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: FOUND BOWLS AND OTHER TYPES OF CONTAINERS WITHOUT HANDLES INSIDE CONTAINERS OF FOOD, BEING USED TO SCOOP FOODS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO USE A SCOOP WITH A HANDLE, AND THAT THE HANDLE MUST BE STORED ABOVE THE TOP OF THE FOOD.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: FOUND PORK RINDS BEING STORED INSIDE GARBAGE BAGS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

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: INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL OF THE PREP COOLER LOCATED NEXT TO THE FRYER.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN THE WOMENS WASHROOM AND EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL WOMEN'S AND UNISEX WASHROOMS.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND CARDBOARD BEING USED ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REMOVE CARDBOARD AND PROVIDE FLOORING THAT IS SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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: MUST PROVIDE A WORKING VENTILATION FAN IN THE EMPLOYEE'S UNISEX WASHROOM.

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: FOUND MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW VALID PROOF OF TRAINING.

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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: FOUND NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: FOUND NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE FOR ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGERS MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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.