ESQUINA DEL SABOR CATROCHO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER FROM 8:15AM TO 8:45AM WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. AT 8:45AM CERTIFIED MANAGER DORIS MOLINA ARRIVED ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA RENDERED INACCESSIBLE BY UTENSILS AND CONTAINER BEING PLACED INSIDE IT. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AVAILABLE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HANDSOAP AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS THROUGHTOUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PAPER TOWELS AT ALL EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION COMBINED WITH ABOVE VIOLATION.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA CLOGGED, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. 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: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 50LBS OF CHICKEN AT 49.2-52.4F, 20LBS OF FISH RANGING FROM 65.0F-70F. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW . PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED TORN GASKET IN THE DOOR COOLER IN THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR 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 AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND OLD FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP ON THE PREP TABLES IN THE REAR AND FRONT PREP AREAS, AND THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. 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.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HOT WATER THROUGHOUT ESTABLISHMENT. FOUND IMPROPER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT PREP AREA AT 73.5F, HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN REAR FOUND AT 72.5F, HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT WASHING SINK BY THE COOKING/PREP AREA AT TEMP OF 75.4F, HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOUND AT 75.7F, HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND SINK IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM FOUND AT 78.5F AND HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND SINK IN MEN'S BATHROOM FOUND AT 75.3F. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR FOUND AT 75.7F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER PROPER HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE AT A MINIMUM OF 100.0F OR HIGHER THROUGH A MIXING VALVE OR COMBINATION FAUCET. HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK MUST BE AT LEAST 110.0F TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT. PLUMBERS ON SITE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE WAS RESOLVED IN ALL SINKS AND HOT WATER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUOUSILY BE PROVIDED AT SAID SINKS.WASHBOWL SINK WITH 100F OR MORE AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK 113F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Without proper water temperatures, cannot sanitize or clean properly.

Adequate hot and cold running water required.

Hot water 120°F minimum at fixtures; Cold water available; Sufficient pressure; From approved source.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES 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: 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 SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED ALL THE VENT THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND AMAINTAIN

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: OBSERVED SOME MISSING BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB THROUGHT OUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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: OBSERVED SOME MISSING BURNT OUT LIGHT BULB THROUGHT OUT THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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.