EL TACONAZO LA FIESTA INC. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS(BEEF, CHICKEN AND RICE) ARE PREPPED, COOKED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER SHALL BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE PREPPED, COOKED AND SERVED. CORRECTED ON SITE, CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED AT 11:40AM, BEFORE CONCLUSION OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ON PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS(BEEF, CHICKEN AND RICE) ARE PREPPED, COOKED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER SHALL BE ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN TCS FOODS ARE PREPPED, COOKED AND SERVED. CORRECTED ON SITE, CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOODSERVICE MANAGER ARRIVED AT 11:40AM, BEFORE CONCLUSION OF REINSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS ON BOTH SIDES AT BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: 3-307.11: OBSERVED FLY STRIPS HANGING FROM CEILING IN JUICE BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FLY STRIPS IN FACILITY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: 4-903.11 (A;B;D): OBSERVED POTS AND PANS IN KITCHEN ON SHELVING UNITS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL EQUIPMENT DURING STORAGE TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-501.11: OBSERVED DAMAGED GASKETS ON ALL THREE DOORS OF REFRIGERATOR IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED GASKETS ON THREE DOORS OF REFRIGERATOR.

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: 4-101.19: OBSERVED BOXES IN STOREROOM, POTS IN WALKIN COOLER, AND BINS IN SMALL REAR STORAGE STORED ON FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD AND NONFOOD ITEMS AT LEAST SIX INCHES OFF OF FLOOR FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY TO PREVENT AREAS FOR PEST HARBORAGE AND FOR EASE OF CLEAN ABILITY.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-205.15: OBSERVED BOTH FAUCETS LEAKING AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK NEXT TO ICE MACHINE IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING FAUCETS ON THREE COMPARTMENT SINK 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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 6-501.19: OBSERVED NO SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM AND DAMAGED SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM NEXT TO KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM IN SMALL STORAGE ROOM AND REPAIR SELF CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM NEXT TO KITCHEN.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 5-501.17: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES IN EMPLOYEE WASHROOMS AND MAINTAIN.

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: 6-501.11: OBSERVED STAINED, DAMAGED OR MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY IN AREAS SUCH AS UTILITY SINK ROOM, KITCHEN AND IN WASHROOM IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL STAINED, DAMAGED OR MISSING CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL NEXT TO EMERGENCY EXIT IN STOREOOM. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR HOLE AND STRIP ON EDGE OF WALL FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.

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: 6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVERS IN ALL WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS COVERS IN WASHROOMS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR AND FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS IN KITCHEN 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST ON CEILING VENT COVERS IN ALL WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL CEILING VENTS COVERS IN WASHROOMS AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS IN KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR AND FILTERS OF BOTH HOODS IN KITCHEN 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.