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

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE FRONT 2 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 55.0F. THE COOLER IS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS BEEF LIVER,BREADED BEEF, PORK CHORIZO AND DICED ONIONS ETC. NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOGS AVAILABLE TO VIEW FOR COOLER.UNIT TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION. MUST EMPTY THE UNIT AND HAVE IT REPAIRED SO THAT IT MAINTAINS AN AIR TEMPERATURE BELOW 40F AT ALL TIMES.CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

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: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. OBSERVED ASSORTED COOKED FOODS AND RAW MEATS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 50.7F-55.7F. NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOGS AVAILABLE TO VIEW.MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED,DENATURED SAID FOODS APPROXIMATELY 360#'S OF FOOD WORTH APPROX. $1200. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING AT 40.0F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: RUSTY SHELVINGS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLERS MUST BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED USING A NON-TOXIC FINISH AND LOOSE GASKETS AT FOOD PREP COOLERS IN KITCHEN AREA MUST BE REPLACED. SPLASHGUARD IS NEEDED AT LEFT SIDE AT THE KITCHEN EXPOSED HANDSINK.

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 AND SANITIZE MANUAL CAN OPENER AND HOUSING ATTACHED TO FOOD PREP TABLE,SIDES OF HOOD COOKING EQUIPMENTS THROUGHOUT,TOPS/BOTTOMS OF FOOD PREP TABLES INCLUDING LEGS OF EQUIPMENTS,FAN COVERS INSIDE THE WALK-IN-COOLERS,HOOD/FILTERS OVER COOKING EQUIPMENTS,CUTTING BOARDS,SHELVINGS OVER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ETC.

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: FLOORS BENEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENTS,BENEATH THE REAR DRY STORAGE SHELVINGS ARE DIRTY,CLEAN FLOORS IN DETAIL.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: SOME LIGHT BULBS AT HOOD AREAS ARE NOT SHIELDED,MUST BE SHIELDED OR PROVIDE SHATTER PROOF LIGHTING AND CLEAN INTERIORS OF LIGHT SHIELDS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN VISIBLE THERMOMETERS INSIDE ALL COOLERS.

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.