INDIO COCINA MEXICANA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER TOUCHING READY TO EAT TORTILLAS, CHEESE, ONIONS, SLICED TOMATOES, AND TACOS WITH BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO USE GLOVES AND PROPER FOOD HANDLING UTENSILS FOR READY TO EAT FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COOKED POTATOES HELD AT 97.2F AND CHILE RELLENOS AT 64-68F IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP HOT FOODS HELD AT 135F OR ABOVE. MANAGER DISCARDED ABOVE ITEMS. 5LBS POTATOES, 8LBS CHILES. $50 TOTAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATTION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED ITEMS IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD TEMPERATURE: HAM 51F (4 LBS) , GUACAMOLE 57.4F (5LBS), BEEF 47F (10LBS), CHEESE 53.6F (3 LBS). INSTRUCTED TO KEEP COLD AT 41F OR BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED ABOVE ITEMS. TOTAL COST $200. PRIORTIY VIOLATION 7-38-005 (SEE PREVIOUS VIOLATION FOR CITATION)

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 CONSUMER ADVISORY OR DISCLOSURE ON MENU WITH COOKED TO ORDER ITEMS: EGGS, STEAK ETC. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH ON MENU AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED 2 DOOR PREP COOLER AT 55.5F. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN COOLER TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW. COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY CDPH. MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTION BY CDPH. PRIORTY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER IN 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE USE PLASTIC UTENSILS NOT INVERTED. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN DISHWASHING AREA. 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: OBSERVED DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN DISHWASHING AREA. 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.