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

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: OBSERVED PREVIOUSLY TAGGED PREP COOLER BEING USED AND NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 58.2F INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR PREP COOLER MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW. COOLER REMAINS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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: OBSERVED COOKED CHICKEN 55.6F AND DICED TOMATOES 53.9F STORED IN PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 5LBS AND $10 OF FOOD. ALL COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEES WASHING FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS WITH NO SANITIZER AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT SET UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #1567122 18-REAR DOOR NOT RODENT PROOFED. 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF DOOR. SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL FOOD ITEMS STORED IN WALK-IN COOLERS UNCOVERED AND NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO COVER ALL FOOD ITEMS IN WALK-IN COOLER. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005A

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS - Comments: INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 9-3-15 NOT POSTED AND DISPLAYED TO CUSTOMERS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010B

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: LABEL AND DATE ALL PREPARED AND READY TO EAT FOOD IN WALK-IN COOLERS(RICE, BEANS, CHICKEN, PORK, SOUP, ETC)

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REMOVE ALL RUST DEPOSITS ON DOOR IN WALK-IN COOLERS, SHELVES IN WALK-IN COOLERS, STORAGE SHELVES AND BOTTOM OF PREP TABLES IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. REMOVE DUCT TAPE AND REPAIR DOOR ON CHEST FREEZER IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTALL SPLASH GUARD ON KITCHEN EXPOSED SINK BETWEEN PREP TABLE.

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 INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS, FREEZERS, STORAGE SHELVES, GRILLS, FRYERS, PREP TABLES.

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: CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS.

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: CLEAN AND PAINT ALL WALLS AND CEILINGS IN MIDDLE PREP AREA.SEAL OPENING IN WALL NEAR REAR WASHROOM. SEAL OPENINGS AROUND PIPE FITTINGS UNDER FRONT EXPOSED SINK. REPLACE MISSING CEILING TILE IN STAFF WASHROOM. REPLACE MISSING WALL TILES IN CUSTOMER WASHROOM.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELDS OR INSTALL SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN BOTH VENTILATION HOODS AND REAR PREP AREA.

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: PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN PREP 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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLERS AND PREP AREAS. REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT IN STORAGE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. SEPARATE CLEANING EQUIPMENT FROM FOOD IN REAR PREP AREA. STORE MOP HEADS UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN - Comments: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Unwashed produce can harbor pathogens and chemical residues.

Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Wash thoroughly under running water; Before cutting, combining, cooking, or serving; Remove soil and contaminants.

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN - Comments: ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Unwashed produce can harbor pathogens and chemical residues.

Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Wash thoroughly under running water; Before cutting, combining, cooking, or serving; Remove soil and contaminants.