EL TACONAZO RESTAURANT Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: PRODUCE WALK-IN COOLER AT 465.7 DEGREES, COOKED FOOD WALK-IN COOLER AT 51.7 DEGREES- BOTH UNITS MUST MAINTAIN AIR TEMPS OF 40 DEGREES OR BELOW-CITATION ISSUED-CRITICAL

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: SHRIMP SOUP-48.8 DEGREES(COOKED 5-23-10), COOKED STEAK-101.6 DEGREES, COOKED PORK-75.3 DEGREES, SOUP-45.6 DEGRREES(COOKED 5-23-10)-ALL COOKED FOODS MUST BE BROKEN DOWN INTO SHALLOW CONTAINERS AND COOLED FROM 140 DEGREES TO 40 DEGREES WITHIN 6 HOURS-FOUND HALF-N-HALF IN PRODUCE WALK-IN COOLER AT 46.7 DEGREES, MIKK-55.1 DEGREES-INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD PRODUCTS, MUST BE STORED AT 40 DEGREES OR BELOW IN REFRIGERATION-CITATION ISSUED-CITATION ISSUED-CRITICAL 7-38-005(A)-150IB VALUED AT 225.00

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.

SOURCE OF CROSS CONTAMINATION CONTROLLED I.E. CUTTING BOARDS, FOOD HANDLERS, UTENSILS, ETC - Comments: OBSERVED A PINKISH LOOKING SUBSTANCE INSIDE ICE MACHINE DRIPPING ONTO ICE INSIDE- INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL ICE FROM INSIDE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF MACHINE-CITATION ISSUED- CRITICAL

These activities introduce saliva and contaminants into food areas, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses to customers.

Food employees must not eat, drink, or use tobacco in food preparation areas.

Eating, drinking, tobacco use only in designated areas; Closed beverage containers with straw allowed in some areas; Proper tasting using clean utensil each time; No personal items in food prep areas.

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS - Comments: One copy of the Food Inspection Report Summary must be displayed and visible to all customers. CITATION ISSUED-SERIOUS

Unpasteurized products can contain dangerous pathogens.

Only pasteurized dairy and eggs in certain situations; no prohibited foods.

Pasteurized eggs for recipes not fully cooked; Pasteurized dairy products; No home-prepared foods.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: FOUND VARIOUS COOKED AND PREPARED FOODS STORED IN ALL COOLERS WITHOUT LABELS-ALL COOKED AND PREPARED FOODS MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED AND DATED WHEN STORED IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST PAINT OR REPLACE ALL RUSTY STORAGE RACKS & SHELVES THROUGHOUT. PAINT RUSTY EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DOOR OF COOKED FOOD WALK-IN COOLER. PAINT ALL WOOD SHELVES INSIDE PRODUCE WALK-IN COOLER. REPLACE RUSTY CAN OPENER AND BASE ATTACHED TO PREP TABLE. REPLACE CUTTING BOARD ON SAME PREP TABLE THAT HAS BEEN BURNED AT CORNER.

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: CLEAN THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR CABINET & EXTERIOR OF DEEP FRYER, EXTERIORS OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN ALL FOOD PREP AREAS, HOODS & EXHAUST SYSTEMS ABOVE ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, INTERIORS OF ALL COOLERS & FREEZERS, ALL PREP TABLES, CUTTING BOARDS, SHELVES,STEAM TABLES, GRILLS, STOVE TOPS, OVENS AND ALL OTHER UNCLEAN SURFACES THROUGHOUT.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN ALL FLOORS THROUGHOUT ALONG ALL WALL BASES, IN CORNERS, UNDERNEATH AND BEHIND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: SEAL ALL LOOSE AND UNATTACHED WALL COVINGS THROUGHOUT. REPAIR WALL SECTIONS BY REAR EXIT DOOR, AND IN REAR BY WASHROOM AND DRY GOODS STORAGE CONTAINERS. CLEAN, PAINT OR RPLACE ALL UNCLEAN WALLS AND WALL PANELS THROUGHOUT INCLUDING DINING AREA. REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT. CLEAN ALL LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT WHERE NEEDED. IN ORDER TO LEAVE REAR DOOR OPEN, INSIDE STORM DOOR MUST TIGHT-FITTING AT BOTTOM(RODENT-PROOF) AND AT TOP(INSECT-PROOF). CLEAN ALL DUSTY CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT.

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.

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS - Comments: REPAIR EXHAUST FAN(S) IN WASHROOM(S)

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.

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS - Comments: REPAIR EXHAUST FAN(S) IN WASHROOM(S)

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.