La Autentica De Guerrero Inc. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE TCS FOODS (TACOS, ENCHILADAS, BURRITOS, ETC.) ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT ALL TIMES WHILE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. 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 NO PAPER TOWELS AT EXPOSED HANDSINK ADJACENT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON TO ENSURE ALL HANDSINKS ARE SUPPLIED WITH PAPER TOWELS AND MAINTAIN. FOOD HANDLER OBTAINED PAPER TOWEL FOR HANDSINK AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD FOODS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR MEASURING HOT AND COLD FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD-HANDLING EMPLOYEES WEARING DANGLING BRACELETS AND NECKLACES WHILE PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES ARE NOT WEARING JEWELRY EXCEPT A PLAIN RING, SUCH AS A WEDDING BAND WHILE PREPARING FOOD AND MAINTAIN.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES PREPPING FOOD WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO ENSURE ALL FOOD HANDLERS WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD AND MAINTAIN.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS ON SEVERAL PREP SURFACE AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT & FOOD AND MAINTAIN.

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 FOIL AND CARDBOARD BEING USED AS LINER ON SHELVING UNITS THROUGHOUT THE REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE ALL FOIL AND CARDBOARD FROM SHELVING UNTIS AND ENSURE ALL NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES REMAIN 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 NO CHEMICAL SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CHEMICAL SANITIZING TEST STRIPS FOR THE CHEMICAL SANITIZER THAT WILL BE USED FOR THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK. 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: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF ALL COOLING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. (NONFOOD CONTACT SURFACES)

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: OBSERVED DRAINPIPE LEAKING UNDERNEATH EXPOSED HANDSINK ADJACENT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD 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: OBSERVED GREASE BUILDUP, FOOD DEBRIS, AND DIRT ON FLOOR UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN PREP, DISH WASHING, AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN ALL 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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITH EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO RENEW EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES AND MAINTAIN.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.