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

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK LOCATED AT MAIN PREP LINE. OBSERVED SEVERAL EMPLOYEES PREPARING FOOD WHILE THERE WAS NO SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK IN MAIN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK AT ALL TIMES FOR EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY WASH HANDS. 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED RAW PORK AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE AT 44.9F IN WALK IN COOLER. ALSO OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE. EGGS FOUND ON COUNTER AT 50.2F, COOKED PORK ON COUNTER FOUND AT 49.4F, GREEN SALSA ON COUNTER FOUND AT 48.5F, RED SALSA ON COUNTER FOUND AT 49.8F, COOKED REFRIED BEANS FOUND AT 47.5F, CHORIZO FOUND AT 50.1F, COOKED BEEF FOUND AT 44.7F, RAW STEAK MEAT FOUND AT 47.5F. EMPLOYEE DISCARDED FOOD. FOOD WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 500 POUNDS AT A COST OF $4,000. TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS MUST BE HELD AT 41.0F OR BELOW INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT. 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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED MEAT SITTING IN BUCKET WITH WATER. INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER RUNNING WATER OF 70.0F OR BELOW OR THAW IN ADEQUATE REFRIGERATION OF AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 41.0F OR BELOW.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO EQUIPMENT THERMOMETER IN 2 DOOR PREP COOLER NEXT TO MAIN GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOPS STORED DIRECTLY IN ICE BIN WHEN NOT BEING USED. INSTRUCTED TO STORE SCOOPS IN CLEAN CONTAINERS WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MOLD LIKE BUILD UP ON CEILING TILE ABOVE REFRIGERATION BY REAR DOOR AT MAIN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE CEILING TILE.

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 MOLD LIKE BUILD UP ON CEILING TILE ABOVE REFRIGERATION BY REAR DOOR AT MAIN PREP AREA. MUST REPLACE CEILING TILE.

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.