LA CANTINA GRILL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 6-301.14 OBSERVED A HANDWASHING SIGN IS NEEDED AT THE HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: 4-303.11(B) OBSERVED FACILITY NOT PROPERLY SANITIZING UTENSIL. OBSERVED 3 DETERGENT CONTAINERS ATTACHED TO THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND FACILITY SANITIZING AT 0PPM DUE TO SANITIZER NOT BEING ATTACHED TO THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE. INSPECTOR INFORMED THE MANAGER THAT ALL 3 CONTAINERS WERE DETERGENT AND A PROPER UTENSIL SANITIZER SHOULD BE PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT ALL TIMES. THE MANAGER RETRIEVED A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER AND ATTACHED SANITIZER TO THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE DURING THE INSPECTION, AND THE LOW-TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE WAS SANITIZING AT 100PPM BY THE END OF THE INSPECTION. RECOMMENDED ALWAYS VERIFYING ADEQUATE SANITIZER IS AVAILABLE BY USING CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS TO TEST SANITATION LEVEL. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 3-501.16(A:2,&B) OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (DICED TOMATOES, SOUR CREAM ETC) INSIDE OF A 3 DOOR PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES; 5 LBS OF DICED TOMATOES AT 52F, ABOUT 1 LB OF SOUR CREAM AT 58F, ABOUT 6 LBS OF CHEESE AT 57F, ABOUT 2 LBS OF GUACAMOLE AT 57F, 3 LBS OF PORK AT 53F AND ABOUT 2 LBS OF PICO DE GALLO AT 53F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL TCS FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. ALL FOODS DISCARDED ARE WORTH $116. 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: 4-301.11 OBSERVED A 3 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT, WITH TCS FOODS INSIDE, AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 58F DURING THE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED NOT TO PUT TCS FOODS INSIDE OF SAID UNIT AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. SAID REFRIGERATION UNIT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY CDPH AND MAY NOT BE USED. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. OBSERVED ABOUT 5 SMALL FLIES ON THE CEILING IN THE DISHWASHING AREA AND ABOUT 5 LIVE LARGE FLIES FLYING AROUND IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE LIVE INSECT ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: 4-502.13 OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE TORTILLA MASA CONTAINERS BEING RE-USED. INSTRUCTED NOT TO RE-USE SINGLE-SERVICE CONTAINERS.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE OR PROVIDE.

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: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND HOT HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS BY THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND HOT HOLDING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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.