FIESTA TAPATIA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE - Comments: NO SHELLFISH TAGS WERE PROVIDED FOR THE OYSTERS IN THE FREEZER. OYSTERS WERE RECEIVED FRESH AND WERE FROZEN. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL SHELLFISH TAGS WITH THE PRODUCT UNTIL THE CONTAINER IS EMPTY AND FOR 90 DAYS THEREAFTER. MANAGEMENT DISCARDED THE OYSTERS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005 (B-2)

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46.4F. THE WALK-IN COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS MILK AND REFRIED BEANS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. 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 POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED REFRIED BEANS AT 52.2F, GROUND BEEF AT 44.8F, SOUR CREAM AT 45F, AND 2 GALLONS OF MILK AT 46.4F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 100# OF FOOD WORTH $300. 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.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (RICE AT 160.5F) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT #1946399 ON 7/12/16 NOT CORRECTED: 32 - OBSERVED GASKETS IN POOR REPAIR ON THE TWO DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. 33 - OBSERVED THE INSIDE OF THE FRYER WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AND MAINTAIN. 38 - OBSERVED MINOR LEAK ON THE EXPOSED HANDSINK LOCATED IN THE REAR. OBSERVED A LEAK ON THE CONDENSOR OF THE WALK IN COOLER LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR ALL AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-090.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED FROZEN MEATS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZERS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS.

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 THE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS FROM THE TOP AND LEGS OF THE 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 THE DEAD INSECTS FROM THE BASEMENT FLOOR. REMOVE THE CARDBOARD FROM THE FLOOR IN THE PREP AREA.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS.

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: MUST PROVIDE PROPER SINK STOPPERS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINKS.

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.