ESQUINA DEL SABOR CATROCHO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SINK FOR THE REAR DISHWASHING/PREP ROOM; MANAGEMENT STATES THAT THE PREVIOUS HANDWASHING SINK FOR THIS AREA BROKE AND WAS REMOVED FROM THE WALL. MUST RE-INSTALL A HANDWASHING SINK FOR THE REAR DISHWASING/PREP ROOM. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND COLD TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES INSIDE THE 1-DOOR ARCTIC AIR COOLER. RAW CHICKEN, RAW PORK, RAW BEEF, EGGS, AND PICO DE GALLO (CUT TOMATO) FOUND AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 46F TO 57F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO MENU CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS (EGGS). INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY SUCH FOODS BY ASTERISKING THEM TO A FOOT NOTE THAT STATES: "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS" AND ADD A STATEMENT THAT SAYS: "CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL PRODUCTS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS". PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: FOUND 5 LIVE COCKROACHES ON THE MOP SINK LOCATED IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA, AND 1 LIVE COCKROACH INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME BETWEEN THE STORAGE AREA AND REAR DISH AREA. INSTUCTED TO REMOVE ALL COCKROACHES AND ACTIVITY, CLEAN/SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A). CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: FOUND BROKEN GASKETS ON THE 1-DOOR ARCTIC AIR COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR OR REPLACE GASKETS 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED AN UNSEALED MATERIAL AND UNSEALED WOOD USED AS DRY FOOD STORAGE SHELVING IN THE REAR STORAGE AREA. ALSO NOTED CARDBOARD AND ALUMINUM FOIL BEING USED TO LINE PREP AND STORAGE SHELVES THROUGHOUT ALL PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE/SEAL SHELVING, AND TO REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD AND ALUMINUM FOIL TO MAKE NON-ABSORBENT, SMOOTH, AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT A CHEMICAL TEST KIT FOR SANITIZER OR FOR DISHWASHING AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A TEST KIT THAT ACCURATELY MEASURES THE CONCENTRATION IN MG/L OF SANITIZING SOLUTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: FOUND AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND OLD FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE PREP TABLES IN THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS, ON THE CLEAN DISH STORAGE RACKS ABOVE THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK, ON THE COOKING EQUIPMENT IN THE COOKS LINE AREA, AND INSIDE THE DESSERT GLASS TOP CHEST FREEZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO DETAIL CLEAN ALL AND 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 A LEAK AT THE FAUCET ON THE FRONT DISH AREA 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND HEAVY DIRT BUILD UP ON THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER, AS WELL AS INSIDE THE REAR STORAGE/PREP AREA FLOOR DRAINS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO CLEAN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (SHOPPING CART, TREADMILL, BROKEN EQUIPMENT) STORED THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER THAT TURNED OFF AND USED FOR STORAGE. MUST REMOVE ALL ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION, DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS, AND RE-ORGANIZE ALL REMAINING ITEMS, STORING THEM OFF THE FLOOR TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES (SHOPPING CART, TREADMILL, BROKEN EQUIPMENT) STORED THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN FREEZER THAT TURNED OFF AND USED FOR STORAGE. MUST REMOVE ALL ITEMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION, DETAIL CLEAN SAID AREAS, AND RE-ORGANIZE ALL REMAINING ITEMS, STORING THEM OFF THE FLOOR TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.