EL TARASCO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less.OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF COOKED FOODS IN PREP & WALK IN COOLER SUCH AS MEXICAN SAUSAGE 48.0 F,COOKED PORK 47.1 F,COOKED RICE 44.6 F,SLICED HAM 44.9 F, COOKED TRIPE 48.2 F. NO TIME & TEMPERATURE LOGS AVAILABLE TO VIEW. PRODUCT WAS VOLUNTARILY DUMPED AND DENATURED. APPX 36 LBS. $81.

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 IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.COOKED FOODS,PREPACKAGED BAKED GOODS.

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: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair.REMOVE RUST FROM PREP TABLES.PROVIDE LID ON ICE BIN IN BAR AREA.,SPLASH GUARDS AT HAND SINKS IN PREP AREA.REPAIR OR REPLACE WORN DOOR GASKETS ON PREP COOLER,MISSING HANDLE ON LID AT STEAM TABLE.SCRAPE & PAINT PEELING PAINT ON STORAGE SHELVES.REPLACE AIR CURTAINS.

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: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT,WHEEL BASES,SHELVING UNITS,FAN GUARD COVERS IN COOLERS,COOLERS,

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: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMGED FLOOR TILES WHERE NEEDED & IN LIQUOR STORAGE ROOM.

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: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned.CLEAN & PAINT WALLS THROUGHOUT.REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED WALLS & TRIM,CEILING IN DINING ROOM& BASEMENT IN POOR REPAIR.MOLDED WALL IN BASEMENT LIQUOR STORAGE AREA,STAINED & MISSING CEILING TILES,CAULK WINDOW SILLS IN DINING AREA,LOOSE WALLBASES BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT,CAULK WALL BASES WHERE NEEDED.

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: All rooms in which food or drink is prepared, or in which utensils are washed, shall be lighted so that a minimum of 50-foot candles of light is available on all work surfaces. Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.REMOVE DRAIN LINE FROM BAR SINK TO OPEN SITE DRAIN.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.REMOVE DRAIN LINE FROM BAR SINK TO OPEN SITE DRAIN.

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.