EL TACONZAZO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SIGN AT REAR PREP AREA HANDWASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: FOUND UNCOVERED CONTAINERS OF FOOD INSIDE 3-DOOR COOLER AND BEVERAGE COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROTECT FOODS IN A CONTAINER OR FOOD GRADE STORAGE. ADVISED TO ADD SIGN "NO SELF SERVICE" AT BEVERAGE COOLER, MAINTAIN.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE/REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR THE UNDERCOOKED EGGS OR CARNE ASADA. MUST PROVIDE REMINDER & DISCLOSURE STATEMENT & ASTERISK NEXT TO EACH ITEM. IT APPLIES TO THE MENU BOARD ALSO. (PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005). CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: FOUND BULK CONTAINERS NOT LABELED (SPICES, RICE ETC). MUST LABEL FOODS WHEN STORED IN UNORIGINAL CONTAINERS, MAINTAIN.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: FOUND TWO DEAD ROACHES ON FLOOR IN DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE, CLEAN AREA, AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: FOUND SOILED WIPING CLOTH STORED ON FRONT PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZER SOLUTION, MAINTAIN.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: FOUND SMALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER USED AS SCOOP INSIDE BULK SPICE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER UTENSIL AND STORE PROPERLY, MAINTAIN.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: FOUND POTS AND PANS IN DISH AREA NOT INVERTED. MUST INVERT WHILE STORED.

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: FOUND SINGLE SERVICE UTENSILS STORED IN LARGE CONTAINER NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT WHILE STORED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: FOUND TORN GASKET IN 3-DOOR REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: FOUND PAPER TOWELS LINED ON PREP SHELVES, AND CARDBOARD LINED ON FLOORS IN DISH AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TO MAKE SURFACE SMOOTH AND EASY TO CLEAN, MAINTAIN.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: FOUND NO BACKFLOW DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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: FOUND NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: FOUND MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN RESTROOM IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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: FOUND MULTIPLE LIGHTS IN FRONT PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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: FOUND MULTIPLE LIGHTS IN FRONT PREP AREA IN POOR REPAIR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR 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.